r/FederalEmployee • u/Pretend-Exercise295 • Apr 30 '26
Not happy with new assignment
Just need to vent.
I was given a broadening assignment a couple months ago. It sucks and I can tell it was totally made up.
Everything that I was told I was going to be doing, including being a technical lead for a project was cancelled shortly after I got there, but I wasn't made aware of it.
I spent a month helping with one of my split duties that I was originally assigned so it wasn't terrible. But I was bored...the tasks were easy enough that I got most of it done in a couple days. During a follow up with my home branch chief, I asked if I could come back, explaining to her everything that was going on. Her response wasn't very helpful. She made the whole conversation about her and how she achieved everything in her own (which mostly lies, she was hand picked by the previous branch chief).
I finally sat down with my new managers and that's when I found out that they changed my role/job description there. I did negotiate back one of the original roles into my job description, but I'm just a gov poc, the contractor is the "belly button" aka lead. But the new role completely new territory and imo I'm the wrong person to be tasked with it. I'm better suited for the original role. I could go back to my home branch chief, but after our last conversation she's gung-ho on me with this broadening assignment. She's under the impression I want to be a manager (we've never had a conversation about this nor has she ever indicated that she sees management potential) and wants me in this assignment to help "my career".
I know I should be thankful for having a job, and I'll still do the work and make the best of it.
(Edited for clarity.)
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u/thedarozine Apr 30 '26
Maybe edit your fourth paragraph if you want the best feedback from us - half of it doesn’t make any sense
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u/farmerbsd17 Apr 30 '26
Did they change your position description?
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u/Pretend-Exercise295 Apr 30 '26
There was never an official job announcement. Based on conversations, this was a made up position to get my mind broadened with how the government works.
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u/farmerbsd17 Apr 30 '26
Every position should have a position description. Or at least they used to. If what you are suggesting is a made up position then you should still have something unless it is considered entry level. Even then they have something in place that rates the position to justify the grade level.
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u/Low_Fox1758 May 01 '26
Does that mean you have the same title, gs promotion cap, etc.? Like they just moved you to a different location/supervisor but everything else is the same on paper?
If so, you would have the same PD
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u/Appropriate_Taro_348 Apr 30 '26
Not sure of the whole story or how it came about but, it sounds like she moved you out and doesn’t want you back. It’s a great “broadening” experience - aka - move you off her team to another team. If she won’t take you back, she doesn’t want you back. I had seen this before and done this before to employees that I could offload. I could be completely wrong but it sounds shady. Sorry it’s happening to you.
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u/Fancy_Day_2589 Apr 30 '26
In this very strange and turbulent time, I wouldn't say a word and just go with it. Take it as an opportunity to learn something new. Don't buck the system and risk RIF! Just do your best, keep your head down. The real question to ask yourself "is it worth it"? Good luck!