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Post by lurker/dibs on Jul 19, 2013 16:21:25 GMT -5
Quickest way to familiarize yourself with it is to go to OGE.GOV and download the form. It is OGE 278. You have to fill it out when you start your gov employment and then annually in May every year after that. Those requirements have been around for years. The STOCK Act added the requirement, which took effect earlier this year, for monthly reporting of certain transactions. Download the 278 and read the instructions to get a clearer idea of what you will be in for. Thanks! I will do that now! And pass a copy on to our accountant (my father in law). Maybe that will help clear up my confusion!
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Post by bartleby on Jul 19, 2013 16:50:44 GMT -5
You are doing the right thing. Be as proactive as possible. You don't need to find out about this your second week at the new office in sheboygin and then trying to handle it all long distance. There are a lot of challenges and trying times ahead for those that make it. I never thought I was capable at my age of doing some of the stuff I have, but it has been a grand adventure and I am glad that I got the chance for another adventure at my age. Two days ago was my second anniversary as an ALJ. They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, well, you can, but not too many at once.. But then again, you can't teach a kitty anything unless they decide to let you... And it always comes with a price.
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Post by lurker/dibs on Jul 19, 2013 16:54:23 GMT -5
Congrats on your anniversary! I hope to be in your shoes one day! And thanks for the wonderful advice. It's nice to have people who have "been there/done that" who can help people like me not make silly mistakes that are easily avoidable. Any headaches that you can help us spare are greatly appreciated!
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Post by ladywordsmith on Jul 19, 2013 22:29:03 GMT -5
I can surely speak from experience on this one! I just made the two year mark too. First of all, as everyone can probably tell by now, it varies from person to person, and family to family. When I moved, my husband and daughter came with me. My husband said he was ready to move and happily did so. We just told our high school junior that she was going to be spending her senior year at a different school, hundreds of miles from her friends (felt so bad about that one, I don't even like to think about all the money I spent on her prom dress and a limo for her and all of her new friends just to make it up to her). But, as it turns out, my daughter adjusted just fine -- in fact, she adjusted great -- she made new friends, her grades were much better than they had been at her old school, she got into all the colleges she applied to and she just finished her college freshman year -- it was my husband (remember the one that happily moved?) that did not adjust well. Doesn't like it and after two years, I don't think that's going to change. So, now I'm on the transfer list; hoping that when (being positive here) we move, we can sell our house and don't take a bath on it in the process (at least we bought when the market was low). We also spent a significant amount of time deciding the transfer list locations, so that wherever "next" ends up being, we will truly "settle in." As many have said here, being separated is difficult -- I don't have that experience, so I can't speak to that (except for the four week training, of course). But I can say that if you move your family, give it 6 months or so before you buy a house. For many, just like us, you will probably need to buy a house for tax reasons -- especially not having any idea when a transfer might materialize -- just give it about 6 months if you can. Peace and Blessings -- and good luck to all! Ladywordsmith
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Post by jigjigjig on Jul 19, 2013 22:39:19 GMT -5
Ack! My dates are Aug. 27 & 28. I will have to miss my son's first day of kindergarten! I didn't realize my parenting dilemma would start so early. Dare I try to reschedule? IF I didn't have any other sure fire conflicts on my calendar I would reschedule. My son left elementary school this past May and when I dropped him off for the last day of elementary school I took the same pictures I took the first day of kindergarten. I think he thought I was being a weirdo but it meant a lot to me. On the other hand if you have conflicts or are likely to have conflicts you cannot miss then this is just one of those moments you hope someone will take pictures of for you. Thanks Gaidan, I appreciate your thoughts. After talking it over with my husband and son, I went ahead and booked my tickets for the scheduled dates. They promised to take a lot of pictures. Sigh. I just have to do well enough to make it worth it.
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Post by lurker/dibs on Jul 20, 2013 9:51:55 GMT -5
If you are an ALJ and anyone in your firm or husbands firm gets payment from SSA it could be a problem. I have heard that an ALJ's spouse may not bring cases in the same town as the ALJ's hearing office. Seems preopsterous, but.. So we would not be able to keep the social security portion of our firm?? I knew there would be no way I could hear any cases from my husbands firm. But I figured he could still have social security cases. That's a big part if our firm now.
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Post by philliesfan on Jul 20, 2013 10:13:37 GMT -5
Actually, as long as you do not hear any of the firm's cases, it is probably OK. I served in an ODAR office where years ago one of the ALJ's daughter-in-law handled SSA cases. They were just not assigned to him. I also know of another ALJ whose husband is the head of a local legal services organization. Again, no cases from that organization are assigned to her.
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Post by bartleby on Jul 20, 2013 11:45:25 GMT -5
I think it could possibly be a problem. I mean you will be friends with the other Judges and I know there would be nothing going on, but with the problem in West Virginia, it might create an image of impropriety. Think about it. A jealous competitor might make noise to the local press if your husband's firm had a higher percentage of pay cases then his. Further, if your husband's law firm, which in one fashion or another you have an interest, such as even a future interest in, you would be benefitting by his interaction with the Agency. I think this has potential to bite you and i don't think the Agency will allow it. Sorry.
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Post by JudgeRatty on Jul 20, 2013 11:45:34 GMT -5
If you are an ALJ and anyone in your firm or husbands firm gets payment from SSA it could be a problem. I have heard that an ALJ's spouse may not bring cases in the same town as the ALJ's hearing office. Seems preopsterous, but.. So we would not be able to keep the social security portion of our firm?? I knew there would be no way I could hear any cases from my husbands firm. But I figured he could still have social security cases. That's a big part if our firm now. As preposterous as it may seem, I would suggest your spouse avoid cases in the same town. The the issue isn't with you or your husband as I am sure you are both ethical. The issue is the "appearance" of any impropriety. Best to just avoid any potential issues. You don't need a complaint being filed down the road by someone who was upset/jealous/irritated etc with the way things turned out for them. I am risk averse and maybe overly cautious....tough issues! Hope it all works out for you!
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Post by lurker/dibs on Jul 20, 2013 13:13:30 GMT -5
Wow. We will def need to discuss this issue. I had assumed I just wouldn't hear any of those cases. I figured it may be an issue with me hearing some of my friends cases too. Since I do social security cases, some of my best friends are social security attorneys. I figured that would give an appearance of impropriety. I just assumed I wouldn't be assigned any of those cases, at least not for a while. I know there are rules about socializing with reps and experts, which I would miss if I got the position. Is there an ethics manual I could refer to for things like this??
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Post by karaj on Jul 21, 2013 18:52:07 GMT -5
I have been an ALJ for over a year. When i got the offer, my son was 18 and living at home. My daughter was in middle school. My husband is retired. I took an offer half-way across the country from where i lived and left my hubby and kids home. The job allows you to work credit hours and I was able to take at least 1 week off a month and come home. However, the job is intense and momentum-based, and my "numbers" suffered for it, which increased my stress level big time. I was eventually able to transfer home recently, but most of my colleagues are still in transfer "limbo".
Would I do this again? NO. Was it worth the stress I put on my marriage & kids? NO. Was the job worth it?? NO. (I am still trying to convince myself I made the right decision on that point). This was a learning experience for all of of us, but not exactly a positive one. Be careful for what you wish for. And remember, your FAMILY COMES FIRST. If you remember this, you will have NO regrets. We are still trying to heal from this awful year.
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Post by sportsfan on Jul 21, 2013 19:46:40 GMT -5
I have been an ALJ for over a year. When i got the offer, my son was 18 and living at home. My daughter was in middle school. My husband is retired. I took an offer half-way across the country from where i lived and left my hubby and kids home. The job allows you to work credit hours and I was able to take at least 1 week off a month and come home. However, the job is intense and momentum-based, and my "numbers" suffered for it, which increased my stress level big time. I was eventually able to transfer home recently, but most of my colleagues are still in transfer "limbo". Would I do this again? NO. Was it worth the stress I put on my marriage & kids? NO. Was the job worth it?? NO. (I am still trying to convince myself I made the right decision on that point). This was a learning experience for all of of us, but not exactly a positive one. Be careful for what you wish for. And remember, your FAMILY COMES FIRST. If you remember this, you will have NO regrets. We are still trying to heal from this awful year. Thank you karaj for sharing. Us wanna be ALJs really appreciate you and other current ALJs sharing your experiences, especially when it comes to possible impact to family. Thanks again.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jul 21, 2013 19:59:53 GMT -5
I second the thank you to Karaj. Time away from family for family for a job cannot be recovered. I have made sacrifices at my family's expense before and will not repeat such. I lost time and experiences that will never be regained and there are some wounds that may never heal.
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tpm
Full Member
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Post by tpm on Jul 21, 2013 21:57:21 GMT -5
For me it wouldn't be an issue of children, though I have 3 little ones, but of a wife that actually has a great position already for a number of years, which I could not even ask her to leave behind, so my choice must be local. All of this is fun to discuss, but I think rather premature.
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Post by funkyodar on Jul 21, 2013 22:50:19 GMT -5
I have been an ALJ for over a year. When i got the offer, my son was 18 and living at home. My daughter was in middle school. My husband is retired. I took an offer half-way across the country from where i lived and left my hubby and kids home. The job allows you to work credit hours and I was able to take at least 1 week off a month and come home. However, the job is intense and momentum-based, and my "numbers" suffered for it, which increased my stress level big time. I was eventually able to transfer home recently, but most of my colleagues are still in transfer "limbo". Would I do this again? NO. Was it worth the stress I put on my marriage & kids? NO. Was the job worth it?? NO. (I am still trying to convince myself I made the right decision on that point). This was a learning experience for all of of us, but not exactly a positive one. Be careful for what you wish for. And remember, your FAMILY COMES FIRST. If you remember this, you will have NO regrets. We are still trying to heal from this awful year. Yours is a depressing story karaj. please take no offense, but it is the perfect example of the mistakes I have seen in my time at odar when it comes to the alj job. Many, including some who post here, are so enamored with the idea of being a "judge" they miss seeing the forest due to excessive tree blindness. whether its ego or a longstanding aspiration, some apply purely out of robe envy. With the path to an article 3 judgeship being a toll road requiring mucho political capital and a state judgeship requiring an actual political race, many see the alj job as the route to the robe they want and go all in for the job. Before selling out for the gig, though, one realization needs to occur. IT IS JUST A JOB. You're called "judge" but the only power you have is an up and down decision on whether someone gets disability benefits. Sure, maybe you will be one of the less than 10% of aljs that work for some agency other than ssa. Maybe, but your judicial authority will still be incredibly narrow. At ssa, you have no staff that answers to you, no real control of your docket, insane pressure to meet quotas and you clock in (sign in) like your average fast food worker. You don't have a bailiff and no one kowtows to "your honor" in the breakroom. If you are expecting something more you will be miserable. Truth is, hundreds of claims examiners do nearly the same thing as an ssa alj everyday in small cubicles at aflac, aig and other disabilty insurance companies. in fact, your "chambers" won't be much bigger than one of their cubicles. So, if you take away the prestige factor of being a "judge" it is merely a job in the 120k range with pretty decent benefits. Like any job it has stress of deadlines and production and sometimes crappy managers. if you have applied for the job and you have never been in an ssa hearing room...well, you owe it to yourself to do quite a bit of real world research. Especially if you plan on moving your family or living without them with some hope of a transfer later. Its probably a good thought exercise to think of it like this. Imagine its not a "judge" job you may be offered. Instead, aflac wants you to move to omaha and decide short term disability benefit claims. Pays the same and so are the benefits. Do you give up your law practice or current job and move your family or leave your family for it? Only you can answer that. But you owe it to yourself and your family to put real thought in it and not have robe blindness. If you sell out everything just to be a "judge" for ssa, karaj's post will seem really familiar.
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Post by workdrone on Jul 21, 2013 23:00:31 GMT -5
[Very good points snipped for brevity] Well said! The job is good for some, bitter for others. It's all about what you expect and whether it is a good fit for you. Please do your research before jumping all the way in. That's why this forum exists.
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Post by bartleby on Jul 21, 2013 23:18:30 GMT -5
Hear, hear, and I see more and more Judges wearing suits and dresses to hearings without robes. More and more the hearing officer position and less and less the glory.
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Post by mcb on Jul 21, 2013 23:59:42 GMT -5
I wore a suit my first year as an ALJ. I got tired of that and now I just slip a robe on over a pair of courdroys, or jeans, and a shirt. I can wear tennis shoes, too, if I want. Has nothing to do with "the solemnity of a robe.". Just comfort.
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Post by 71stretch on Jul 22, 2013 0:05:15 GMT -5
Those of us who have already been a judge at another level are past that issue and are not seeking a federal ALJ position in order to "be a judge". Those with family issues will, if the opportunity arises, have difficult choices to make, when and if the time comes.
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Post by moopigsdad on Jul 22, 2013 8:31:14 GMT -5
Funky had some great points about the position. The position will be what you make of it. I wouldn't abandon my children (if I had any) for the position. I would only move away from my wife because she approves 100% with the idea. (She probably can't wait to see me go elsewhere...LOL! In reality, my wife is stuck in our home state because of the number of years at her job and a pension she has earned with it) So, you have to either accept only a narrow geographical area where you would be willing to work or you choose a much larger area because you have no obligations or you are willing to chance that your move will not affect your family or obligations. It's not an easy choice, but you will have to cross that bridge when you come to it. It will be a decision you should weigh closely with your spouse, children, family, etc. prior to committing to anything. Do not plan on a quick transfer back home, if you take a position elsewhere. It may truly take years!
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