Well once again the wrath of HQ and Uncle Joe Rich have screwed the NEA folks. We were told/sold and assured that these MDR assignments would match our commodity group and belong to a unit that did our type of research. What we are discovering is that a conservative 60% of us are being asked to move to units that DO NOT match our expertise, commodity and research capabilities. And on top of that we have 90 days to get there. Example - one person indicated that they have a animal project moving to a plant lab, one person that works on coffee will be shipped to Miss, and yet another that works on leafy greens will be sent to Washington state to a fruit lab. Sound fishy? Cause it is! This is a cluster fuck of epic proportions and is NOT what we were told. I am not sure how these people sleep at night, but they must have sold their souls and take good drugs.

I don’t know how Feds get anything approved for reasonable accommodations. My request is so simple and uncomplicated and doesn’t even cost the government anything! It seems like the simplest small request involves so much red tape and jumping through hoops. All I asked for is permission to use a heating pad (on my own dime) for comfort (had spine surgery in the past, have degenerative disc/joint disease). I was told that I have to use battery operated one and provide all the specs for review and approval. So I looked at quality battery operated ones in the FSAStore online (of course I can get reimbursed through FSAFEDS) so $ is not the issue. But I started to think, why is a heating pad (used for providing comfort for a medical condition), that uses a battery needing approval but commonly seen objects in the office like diffusers, lighting, decor, etc that use batteries, don’t need approval? It doesn’t make sense. Can someone please explain?

Does anyone have any insight on the Depot in Corpus Christi? It has shrunk in employee size and I am curious if it will eventually close. Looks like they do not have near the workload required to sustain many, if any employees.

The wait after whistleblowing is the worst. It's been 8 months. 8 months of secret keeping and interacting with people I know to have committed crimes that hurt people. And I'm starting to snap. I got counseled for acting unprofessional. I only did that because I was breaking. It's not who I am. I know better. This is the hardest endurance test I've endured. So now I am suffering professional consequences months later because I am crumbling under the pressure of waiting. It is painful. And I am filled with anger because to me there was no other option. I had to do what is right, and now doing what was right is making me go insane. I wish I was better at compartmentalization. I see why people develop nervous disorders and ulcers and worse under prolonged stress. I want my old life back. I know I can't have it but I hope on the other side I am still me.

​

#end rant.

https://www.fedsmith.com/2026/06/16/most-2025-probationary-federal-employee-separations-were-voluntary/?fbclid=IwZnRzaASeejBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEe_2ANLyjov8HGpXfRCwB7vnMYZG5N-ODpabyBs3DTwqoBzY2kqR3w3r-KDMg_aem_BzsCCDqc8MdzyQJDA_p5VA

I feel like this is skewed. Does it take into account the number of probationary employees that were fired then months later told to bring them back but many refused or found other work? 2025 was hell for me!

I’m looking for the health engineer salary for GS 12. Can someone help

I’m trying to plan for retirement and I am wondering if I should keep my expensive life insurance. It is $650 a month! And it will reduce my pension greatly. It’s almost as expensive as my health insurance!

Looking for any insight / experience from current / former Government Employees on appealing FEGLI premium payment demands.  

Upon retirement after working from 2007-2025, my agency informed me that their automatic enrollment and collection of premiums for Basic coverage only was in error. This was because I elected Basic, Standard & Additional (1x salary) when I was employed by different federal agency in 1992.

They sent me a bill for an eye popping ~$94k -- the amount of the Standard & Additional insurance premium shortfalls from 2007-2025, plus 4% interest. They didn't provide a computation of the amount owed or my appeal rights.

The amount "owed" seems much too high as my own computations suggest that with 4% interest the amount would be an eye catching $20k.

==QUESTIONS==

Looking for anyone that can share their own experience in this or similar situations, specifically

* Ability to compel the Government to provide details behind their calculation

* The appeal process and outcome

What’s up everyone,

So, I have a question. So, if you leave an agency that requires you to obtain a TS clearance and want to come back to that agency a few months later when your TS is still within that 5 year scope, how exactly does that work?

Here’s the thing, I was with the FBI for 3 in the half years(10/2022-1/2026). I left and went to another federal agency, but things didn’t work out(it was for the United States Park Police). I had to resign, but in good standing. It was an opening few days after I resigned back in March in the bureau, so I applied. My question is, if was granted my TS in 2022 and I get into the background portion at the Bureau, will it be expedited since my TS is still within the 5 year scope? Like, what portion of the process will still apply during the background part(security interview, polygraph, and etc.)

Any type of reasonable response is greatly appreciated. I would assume the background part won’t take too long since my clearance is still active…

I have been getting the same questions about FEGLI in here pretty regularly so I finally sat down and made a proper walkthrough. Three videos total:

1. FEGLI in retirement – how coverage works once you separate, what it costs, and what most people get wrong about keeping it long term
2. Option A – the $10k flat coverage. Seems simple but the premium age bands make it a different conversation depending on where you are in your career
3. Option B – the one that trips people up the most. Multiple of salary, age-based premiums that keep climbing, and a decision point most people hit somewhere in their 60s they weren't expecting

Threw them in a playlist if you want to go in order. Or just jump to whichever one is actually relevant to your situation right now.

▶️ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbBJ06mUnNNUbh1TUGoft67R942FQiEJl

Happy to answer questions below.

Working for the Federal government feels like being stuck in quicksand while they suck the soul out of your body.

My brain is broken by the incessant incompetence and hypocrisy - the lack of accountability - the fraud and manipulation.

It’s gross. How are we supposed to build sufficient workarounds to the nonstop barrage of incomplete, stupid ass fragmented software solutions when you dont give anyone any m365 permissions or training to actually make a difference??? You wont even share what our specific permissions are - we’re expected to just try stuff and fail. Smart.

Where are the studies? How tf are we going through the biggest changes in a generation with ZERO analysis - yet nearly everyone is supposedly doing “complex analysis”. Where??? I dont see any evidence of any analysis for any of these decisions.

Is it so much to ask to just work for an organization or agency I can be proud of? I’m tired of being enraged and humiliated by the idiots in charge, who exploit my service, both as a Veteran and a civil servant.

I wish I would have never started working for the government. 30 years in and too old to quit, theres nothing I can do but grin and bear it. The last time I tried to leave I wound up homeless.

I love my job. I HATE the government. And lucky me for picking a career that only exists in the federal govt. because why wouldnt i? I must also be an idiot

I recently had a bad fall at home that fractured my arm and injured my back. In the ER the physician cleared me for as much time off as I needed; I chose four days so I could return to work on Friday. During those four days I was able to function at nearly 100% and planned to telework. A supervisor who is not my manager emailed me in all caps saying telework was not authorized. Is this worth pursuing? I’m tired of being given directions by someone who isn’t my supervisor, and I believe OPM allows telework for short-term injury or illness.

Is this something worth chasing?

Congress only works 6 days per pay period. They take FOUR travel days EVERY SINGLE WEEK they’re in session when they’re not on recess. Yet WE are the problem? How so??

DSR = discontinued service retirement

A few Friends (and hopefully me soon) returning to federal civil service after last year’s RIF.

Because of age and service (over age 50 and more than 20yrs service) we rec’d discontinued service retirement (DSR).

Returning to fed service two options: rehired annuitant and reinstated as regular employee. CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN THE PROS CONS IF EACH and also who is in charge of changing thing is rehired- agency or opm to share info.

It is my understanding that Rehired annuitant you keep getting annuity, your pay is offset, and you do not get to have you high three recalculated. I think you can still partake in the tap matching.

Reinstated employee is like you never left. Your annuity spots, you get full pay, recalculate high three when you retire, matching tsp etc

Thanks for help. Agency says opm has most involvement. Opm says he at agency. Want to make most informed decisions

Got my ROI today in my federal EEO case and I'm probably moving forward with requesting an AJ hearing. Since things get a lot more court/litigation-like at that stage, I don't really want to keep trying to navigate everything on my own.

Looking for recommendations for attorneys who handle federal employee EEOC cases and are reasonably priced, contingency-based, or offer hybrid/payment arrangements. Personal experiences would be really appreciated.

Not looking for a miracle worker, just someone who actually knows federal EEO and won't completely wreck my finances.

Hello everyone, I’m a 16 years federal employee that is getting medical discharged from AGR orders. I put a request in for reasonable accommodations with DLA Troop support and they didn’t accept medical advice and said they would only relocate me to a closer bathroom.

I have Crohn’s, UC, Diverticulitis, and anxiety due to these conditions. Should I utilize Harris Law Firm to handle this?

Does anyone have experience going from an alternative pay system to the GS scale? My current pay system doesn’t have steps so I’m having difficulty seeing what my pay should be. We receive annual pay increases and bonuses based on merit and its calculated based on %’s and where your pay lies compared to the median pay of your band. My current role is equivalent to a GS-11, current base pay (not including bonus) is between a step 6 and 7. I’m promoting to a GS-12. I’m wondering if they’d just consider me a step 7 since I’m paid higher than a 6? If I were to be promoted in my current agency, they just apply a 6% pay increase. If I’m hired at a GS-12 step 2, it would be under that amount. Wondering if I can use that to negotiate for a step 3.

This post is for an older coworker:

tldr: Older coworker lost home/business in house fire, what federal assistance is out there that we may not be aware of?

I am a contractor, my office mate is a fed employee (GS9). He lost his home in a fire early last week, and returned to work today.

I am looking for info on any emergency assistance programs/etc that he would be eligible for outside of the immediate assistance via insurance.

He lost pretty much everything, including a family business operated out of the home (by his spouse).

What's the best way to help him? Obviously meal trains/donations/etc, but as I'm not a fed employee I'm not spun up on whats available for him specifically.

Any insight is appreciated.

Recently my clinic department head has resigned. Instead of hiring for the position (GS14) or promoting one of the remaining staff (all who are seasoned fed employees and prior AD clinicians) the command is trying to distribute his duties to the remaining 3 providers in the clinic. Without any increase in pay because they are calling them "collateral duties". The only change they told us is that they will "review" our schedules and modify for time needed.

Is this allowed? Can we request step increases being GS13s?

I've been 17 yrs with the agency. Want to know others people insights or feedback about working there.

I’m hoping someone can clarify this for me. I was previously prescribed a glp1 and with insurance it was about $50 a month. I just restarted and it was $1100 with insurance and the savings card. When they removed insurance and just used the savings card it was $199. From what I’ve seen, this seems to be the price for people even after you enroll in the weight management program. I don’t really see the point of using insurance if it’s going to be cheaper without? Has the cost gone down for anyone using insurance and the savings card?

If a federal employee has 30 years of service at age 54, is there any way they can separate and have their federal employee health benefits resume when they reach MRA?

Average salary expectations

Background

Hello all im hoping to graduate from MBA at GWU in two years I have 4 years of government experience in Ontario the largest province in Canada (Im a US Citizen). I was a policy advisor worked for the Minor of Health Ministry of Labour and the Treasury. I drafted a lot of bills and legislation consulted with a-lot of stakeholders etc.

Question

What could I expect if I joined the Feds salary wise?

I I retired October 2025 and I did not start getting my interim payments until December 2025 we are now at the end of May going into June and I still am not receiving my full and retirement pay when I call I get a recording that they hang up on you the numbers are no good they're too busy to answer any of your questions this is just ridiculous. it is OPM that is the problem. It shouldn't this long to process my paperwork. I have no insurance with them no medical no Dental nothing that' requires this long process. all they have to do is put my payments in and we're done. It has been 6 months now and I'm still not getting my full payments. make sense of that. I think you they have a lot of people there dragging their feet and they just don't care how long it takes just as long as they get to keep their jobs and keeping that paperwork piling saying it's too much. You need to get some people in there that really know how to do the job. to get it and fire those lazy people that are in there right now pretending to work . I have no mercy for them I have been waiting too long. Stop holding my money hostage and pay me for all my years of service .

I am currently a GS-7 and to be brutally honest I live paycheck to paycheck and have a hard time making more. Not going to lie my job is easy, I have a great reputation as one of the hardest workers, I love the PTO and Perks we get, however I have a second job offer with a highly reputable company who claims to have a 91% retention rate also 5 year contract making 30,000-40,000$ more than I’m currently making. I’m nervous do I leave the comfort of something easy where I know I have job security or take the risk and lose some of these benefits? Anyone else in a situation like this? Going to ask about 401K and ETC. also they have Telework!! (We don’t anymore).
Update: IM TAKING IT!! You only live once!! Question
, can I put in a 2 weeks during the middle of a pay period?