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Post by minny on Sept 27, 2013 11:35:59 GMT -5
OPM is planning on conducting the interviews as scheduled in the event of a shutdown. The judges scheduled for the interviews are considered essential in this part of their job as well as hearing and deciding cases. So that hurdle has been overcome. Thanks for the info. Have you heard anything specifically concerning the WD/LBMT portion?
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Post by BagLady on Sept 27, 2013 11:40:15 GMT -5
Well, Minny, according to the job posting you can't participate in the SI until you've completed the WD/LBMT . . .
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Post by 71stretch on Sept 27, 2013 11:48:29 GMT -5
What I have heard is that next week's testing is still on schedule, and that I should plan to be there. So, I'll be on the plane......
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Post by ALJD on Sept 27, 2013 13:17:10 GMT -5
The only wild card remaining is whether ALJs outside of SSA who might be participating in the SI next week are also considered to be excepted employees by their agencies.
Otherwise it looks like a go. Good luck to all!
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Post by 71stretch on Sept 27, 2013 13:28:29 GMT -5
The only wild card remaining is whether ALJs outside of SSA who might be participating in the SI next week are also considered to be excepted employees by their agencies. Otherwise it looks like a go. Good luck to all! That may well be the part of the reason for the "understaffing" the Help Desk noted in their original response which might require some rescheduling. Hopefully,they will be able to get the staffing covered, so that they will have at least two interviewers for every SI, and that the currently scheduled testing can be completed.
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Post by privateatty on Sept 28, 2013 12:12:11 GMT -5
OPM is planning on conducting the interviews as scheduled in the event of a shutdown. The judges scheduled for the interviews are considered essential in this part of their job as well as hearing and deciding cases. So that hurdle has been overcome. And isn't it also true that OPM reimburses the Agency for the salary expense the loaned ALJ would make if he/she were at their regular duty station? Isn't it also true that OPM has the money budgeted? Ultimately, the Agency pays OPM for the overall expense relative to the testing and selection process--so this is a way for it to recoup some of that negative cash flow. In these times of tight budgets, every dollar matters. I rather think that all systems are a "go".
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Post by 2bthejudge on Sept 28, 2013 14:40:42 GMT -5
Hi Marco,
I asked the same question on a help ticket and the response was cryptic---which means they don't really know. They said that they "plan" on administering the tests and interviews if the government is shut down, but that due to possible staffing shortages in that event, they might not be able to proceed and would have to reschedule people. Typical governmental non-answer. BTW, I am in the same boat, and flying out from California. If there is a shutdown I am out about $1400 plus 3 vacation days from work. Yeah.
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Post by mcb on Sept 28, 2013 15:03:45 GMT -5
House just voted to not fund the Affordable Healthcare Act for one year. Govt shutdown on Tues looking more likely.
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Post by 71stretch on Sept 28, 2013 15:07:12 GMT -5
Hi Marco, I asked the same question on a help ticket and the response was cryptic---which means they don't really know. They said that they "plan" on administering the tests and interviews if the government is shut down, but that due to possible staffing shortages in that event, they might not be able to proceed and would have to reschedule people. Typical governmental non-answer. BTW, I am in the same boat, and flying out from California. If there is a shutdown I am out about $1400 plus 3 vacation days from work. Yeah. I asked a follow up to that same email, gave them my dates (10/2 and 10/3) and got a more definite email that they intended to complete the testing on my dates in the event of a shutdown, and I should plan on reporting. We have the same dates, apparently, so I hope that helps you. I'm flying almost as far as you, with a somewhat smaller $$ outlay... I've chosen to be optimistic that I won't have to do it twice. Good luck!
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Post by moopigsdad on Sept 28, 2013 15:37:17 GMT -5
Shutdown very likely. It is liable to be a long one too. Whether there is an OPM effect is not known yet. Hopefully not for those still to test.
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Post by mcb on Sept 28, 2013 21:03:49 GMT -5
For anyone interested, if there is a shutdown Tuesday, the following ODAR employees (at least at my ODAR) are considered essential: all ALJs, the HOD, the LCT with the most seniority, and the HOSA (IT) person. Independent Contractors including VEs, MEs, hearing reoprters and security will work hearings.
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Post by hopefalj on Sept 28, 2013 21:16:20 GMT -5
For anyone interested, if there is a shutdown Tuesday, the following ODAR employees (at least at my ODAR) are considered essential: all ALJs, the HOD, the LCT with the most seniority, and the HOSA (IT) person. Independent Contractors including VEs, MEs, hearing reoprters and security will work hearings. Everyone gets to go in for four hours on Tuesday regardless. It's just that the essential folks get to stick around for the full 8 and every day thereafter.
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Post by carrickfergus on Sept 29, 2013 9:27:33 GMT -5
(post deleted due to redundancacy)
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Post by Gaidin on Sept 29, 2013 10:16:00 GMT -5
To those of you directly affected by this I am sorry. Obviously all of us awaiting scores are affected but those of you who work for the feds have my sympathies.
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Post by JudgeRatty on Sept 29, 2013 13:12:52 GMT -5
To those of you directly affected by this I am sorry. Obviously all of us awaiting scores are affected but those of you who work for the feds have my sympathies. Thanks Gaidin. It is a bit annoying and stressful. But it is what it is. The folks who have yet to test have my sympathies! What a mess! An expensive venture as it is.....and now a potential reset IF they can even reset. Such a bummer. Here is hoping the whole thing gets worked out without anyone being furloughed or missing their test dates!
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Post by epic0ego on Sept 29, 2013 17:48:09 GMT -5
Here on the precipice I will go against the flow and repeat my views expressed weeks ago. The House Repubs will agree to a continuing resolution and take the budget into a joint conference with the Senate that will coincide with the debt ceiling negotiations. I do not subscribe to the view that the Tea Party folks are actually crazy. Purported insanity is merely part of their negotiation strategy. What they fail to put into the calculus is that the President cannot stand for any future election, while their entire careers come up for an up or down vote next year. If I am wrong and the House Repubs do not blink, then they will have to bear the consequences of their folly in the form of the 2014 elections. In the meanwhile, we will all suffer temporary hardship, some of us more than others. But this is a great nation, and we will survive, indeed bounce back with full force. This will not bring us down, it will only make us stronger. Keep the faith!
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Post by Highlander on Sept 29, 2013 19:48:24 GMT -5
Not sure if this is significant, but I received an email reminder last Friday for the SI (scheduled for 2 Oct) but didn't receive any reminder email for the WD/LBMT. I have to believe if there is a government shutdown they will try to administer both parts of the exam if at all possible. I have already traveled to DC from the west coast, so hopefully it will all work out.
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Post by crab on Sept 29, 2013 20:01:34 GMT -5
I never received a reminder for either part, Highlander, so I wouldn't put too much stock into the reminder. Good luck!
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Post by JudgeRatty on Sept 29, 2013 21:13:40 GMT -5
I never received a reminder for either part, Highlander, so I wouldn't put too much stock into the reminder. Good luck! I only received a reminder for the SI and not the WD/LBMT. I agree with Crab. Don't read into that at all.
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Post by minny on Sept 29, 2013 22:28:45 GMT -5
Not sure if this is significant, but I received an email reminder last Friday for the SI (scheduled for 2 Oct) but didn't receive any reminder email for the WD/LBMT. I have to believe if there is a government shutdown they will try to administer both parts of the exam if at all possible. I have already traveled to DC from the west coast, so hopefully it will all work out. Highlander, I received a reminder for each. I think you may have just missed the one for the WD/LBMT or it got lost in cyberspace. BTW - good luck. I will be testing with you, it appears, since my SI is also on October 2nd.
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