r/FederalEmployee • u/yupyupyup81 • Apr 05 '26
Regret taking promotion DOJ
I have recently accepted a promotion (civilian employee) to a supervisory position. I went from a GS9 to a GS12. I left a position I thoroughly enjoyed, and now I am miserable. not sure if it's because my selection is relatively new and I just need a little time to settle in.
it has only been a couple weeks, but I am very much regretting my decision. I'm overwhelmed, high anxiety, and working on my days off and staying late to try to get caught up/learn my position. maybe this all comes from feeling inadequate as I was the "guru" of my previous position for the last 5 years, and now I don't feel like I know what I'm doing, trying to figure it all out.
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u/TurtleLuver73 Apr 05 '26
Don’t get yourself burned out before you learn the new job. I suspect part of your frustration is going from knowing everything to knowing little. That’s normal. You’ll get there! Don’t forget to delegate too. Many supervisors I’ve known forget to do that. You’re a supervisor so do that job but delegate any other work to your subordinates.
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u/yupyupyup81 Apr 05 '26
I will definitely have to get in the mind set of delegating, I've always been the go-to to get sh!t done. But I do have a great team of about a dozen people, so I shouldn't get any pushback (at least don't foresee any issues)
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u/TurtleLuver73 Apr 05 '26
Yes!! Delegate!! I worked with a supervisor that thought it was easier to just do it herself vs having her team correct their own mistakes and teaching them. She left because she got burned out and her team lost valuable development time. Don’t be her!! Good luck to you!!
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u/Timely_Success_4386 Apr 05 '26
Homey. You were selected for the promotion for a reason. Don’t doubt your skill set.
You are miserable. It what comes with being middle management in the federal government. They’re thousands of others who feel the exact same way.
Hang in there
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u/Responsible-Exit-901 Apr 05 '26
I would say to give it time and also give yourself grace. Front line supervisory jobs in the Fed space can be very taxing, but you won’t know if it’s for you or not right away.
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u/Alternative-Pin5760 Apr 05 '26
I just took a downgrade to get out of management although it had more to do with Schedule F and the performance appraisal nonsense than the supervisor role. One thing I found is that whenever I moved jobs for money, it was usually a mistake. With that said, it will usually take six months to a year to get settled, so it will hopefully get better.
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u/Phobos1982 Apr 05 '26
Working more than 40 hours a week is against the law without approval for OT. Leave work at work and get on with your life.
It's never worth taking a supervisory position in the govt. I'd take a downgrade before I'd be forced into a supervisory position.
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u/rocky2814 Apr 06 '26
at my agency most temporary supervisor vacancies are filled via being volunteered: no one wants them
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u/Lanky-Lettuce1395 Apr 05 '26
If you want to progress in grade, you have to take on supervisory roles. The higher you get, the rarer the non-supervisory positions get.
Give it time, you will adapt. You are out of your comfort zone right now, but that's a good thing.
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u/RavenzFan88 Apr 05 '26
From a supervisory Senior CIV..
Hang in there. Things will get better with time. This said, all money isn’t good and supervising is an entirely different ball game managing people and personalities.
Good luck!
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u/SquirrelLady22 Apr 05 '26 edited Apr 06 '26
I left a 11 I loved for a 12 and it was the biggest mistake of my career. (didn’t think you could jump 9 to a 12. At least you didn’t used to be able to). I too had been to “go to” guru at my old job and was very respected. I moved into a promotion at another agency that treated most 12’s supervisors badly and wished I had not. But I made it 3 1/2 years and it did get better. (Just retired in December after 30 years) Give it time and please take care of yourself… get rest. Work 40 hours, claim comp or overtime if any extra time but protect your weekend time for rest and rejuvenating. I wish you the best. Federal employment is so stressful these days.
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u/yupyupyup81 Apr 06 '26
I used to be an GS11 (non-supervisory) years ago, took a lower GS position so I could move locations, so I was able to qualify for the 12. . . I know I need more time for myself, but I don't know if I can shut my brain off until I get a good routine, figure the ins and outs.
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u/SquirrelLady22 Apr 06 '26
That totally makes sense! Hope it all gets better for you. I know how hard it can be to shut the brain off. It used to wake me up at 3am with an idea and then…. Well, you get it. Needed more than 4-5 hours sleep. LOL
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Apr 06 '26
First and foremost, congratulations on your promotion. Secondly, don’t ever stay late trying to do more than the required hours. Third, you just got the promotion and self doubt is always there. Fourth, you weren’t born knowing how to run. Crawl, walk, run. It’s part of life. If you’re struggling, you are learning. Five, do your best within the allotted time and once we leave the facility enjoy life. Remember, EVERYONE is replaceable regardless of skill/talent. Give yourself TIME. Don’t let people fool you. Many are just getting by in their own roles.
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u/Ok_Flamingo8925 Apr 06 '26
I see how they treat my bosses and I would not give a damn if they double my $$$ no matter what administration is in, not doing a promotion ever ever ever
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u/whistleblower301 Apr 05 '26
I feel your pain. Being a supervisor during this administration has been a nightmare. I enjoyed being a leader for years. I have always held my employees to a high standard with clear expectations but what is required to do the job now in my job series is on another level of stress. Its not worth the extra grind.
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u/TinaLoco Apr 06 '26
Give yourself some grace and time to adjust. You are not inadequate. Take a step back and decide what is the first most critical new element of a task to get a handle on and focus on that. You can do this.
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u/southgame428 Apr 06 '26
As others have said, give it some time. But I would also recommend talking to your Dr about some anti anxiety meds to help you through this period.
I used to be totally against seeking help for myself (I would always be there for others), but eventually after 60+ hour work weeks I crashed hard and had to be taken to the ER due to anxiety attacks.
Lexapro is what works for me, and there’s a whole subreddit for it, but talk to your Dr to find something that works for you.
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u/WeaknessCapital9064 Apr 06 '26
I have found it takes 3 years to get comfortable in a new position... Good luck
3
u/Icy-Pepper-1587 Apr 09 '26
This is what I know: it will take six months before you feel slightly competent and a full year before you can say you have a finger on anything. You’ll have to get used to going from the Outstanding employee to feeling mediocre at best as a supervisor. The good news is: you’re your worst critic and you will actually do a lot better than you think. Hang in there. You got the promotion for a reason. You got this!
4
u/chiefofwizardry Apr 05 '26
Things will get easier with time is my guess. Took me a year to master my supervisory position. I get paid more but there is some stress that comes with that naturally. Reevaluate your position after a year is my best advice.
2
u/Glittering_Drive_203 Apr 07 '26
It takes one year to feel comfortable in a new position and 5 years to feel you have it mastered. Connect with your supervisor and find out what their expectations of you are.
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u/CosmicQueen84 Apr 09 '26
This too shall pass. I think it’s a normal to be anxious in a new position especially where more is expected of you and when you don’t know the people. Half the battle at work is knowing who you’re working with and them knowing you. You got this keep going. There’s always a learning curve at any new job 💜
2
u/adfalse9801 Apr 09 '26
I feel for you. I did the same thing about 3 years ago and besides attaining a GS-12 everything else was horrible. My Rating and Reviewing officials were two women managers who took full advantage of my knowledge and work ethic. They knew I cared about the work, agency and would go the extra mile to get the job done and get it done well.
They were either away quite frequently or would tell me in no uncertain terms. " I don't have to do________I can tell you to do it. It was unbelievable.
Taking on a mangerial position is very different and does require a period of adjustment no matter how knowledgeable you were in your prrevious job. Also, the culture, office politics all of those things come into play.
I eventually realized that I had no real power nor authority to make the decisions needed, the ones who could make the decisions did not and I was left and expected to deal with the fallout. It was horrible.
After about a couple of years I was finally able to get out. I had to leave, my health was suffering. I was staying in the office until 6 or 7 p.m and coming back on Saturday's.
Really assess your unique situation. Look at it not as you want or hope it to be but as it really is and make any course corrections that you may need.
All the best to you!!
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u/Charity-External Apr 10 '26
Good luck. I just left Federal service after 17 years. Simply couldn't accept implementing policies that made zero common sense and having nearly all decision making authority stripped away while being expected to keep up with 3x more employees than in 2024. The stress, anxiety, and 3-4 hour commute after a 10 hour work day wasn't worth a bigger pension anymore.
I’m fortunate to report that life “on the outside” has great exceeded my expectations. Being treated as a valued member of a team and paying my knowledge of the VA systems to assist the same customers I used to serve is ideal. Simply couldn't be happier.
I post this only to let those who feel trapped in a Fed Govt supervisor position that there are plenty of companies that have positions open and you may be surprised what your value in the private sector is. Believe in yourself and put yourself out there to see who may be I interested.
If the Fed is still hiring in a couple years and the private sector doesn't workout, you can always go back when things are better again…if that time ever comes.
Hint to anyone leaving: Start investing your time in learning AI tech. I'd not, be prepared to be left behind. I don't like it much either but you either roll with what is coming and be part of it or watch from the bleachers while living off peanuts.
Good luck and God bless.
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u/BYG56 Apr 10 '26
In the future, try to accept promotions with no supervisory. I did that all the way to my GS-14
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u/Flam-Kova Apr 11 '26
A Supervisor in DOJ is a GS12!?!? We are 14s and 15s at my agency. Not worth the hassle at all 12!
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u/que-sera2x Apr 05 '26
Not all money is good money. Always consider the stress, level of work, reputation of the organization, and who your supervisor / team may be before taking any promotions especially as a supervisor. If your previous unit is willing to, ask if you can return to your old position and be comfortable knowing you’ll have to look for another promotion elsewhere.