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Post by patiently on Nov 13, 2014 9:43:08 GMT -5
After a year, you can telecommute up to 8 days a month. The HOCALJ can approve up to an additional 2 days per month, for a total of 10. In order to be telecommute eligible, you must schedule a minimum of 50 hearings per month.
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Post by Gaidin on Nov 14, 2014 16:18:01 GMT -5
bump
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Post by JudgeKnot on Jun 27, 2017 6:52:42 GMT -5
Yesterday I received an inter-office email about telecommuting (TC) as a state ALJ. One of TPTB attended a conference and the subject of TC came up. Here's some of the feedback that was gleaned at that conference. I'm interested in commentary from other ALJs, either at the state or federal level, who actually have worked the TC option. (I have redacted the states that were named in the email.) From what I've read earlier in this thread, SSA ALJs don't - yet- conduct hearings from home, so some of these would be non-issues in SSA, but the privacy issues could conceptually be just as much an issue in SS cases as in state welfare or unemployment cases.
Feedback from states who allowed ALJs to conduct phone hearings from home:
Too informal, can other noises in the background. More adjournments. Technology problems. Reduced workplace mentoring and problem solving. Employees disconnect from each other. Employees disconnect from workplace mission. Those who can TC are resented by those who can't TC.
XXX state, in order to avoid staff resentment, opened up the work-from-home option to all employees. Fake unemployment claims were filed by work-from-home employees! Literally, employees of all levels have been criminally charged there. Apparently, having access to all of the PII in their homes was too tempting – and – now? In (xxx state), no employee can even have a cell phone [tablet, laptop, or any other device that allows them to photograph screens] in the workplace. The feedback from (xxx state) was that, although you still have access to the same information at work that these people had in their homes, the physical presence of other employees, etc, serves as a deterrent to spending time copying/creating fake accounts."
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2017 7:14:03 GMT -5
Does anyone know how the "two hours" is measured? Is there a designated distance, either by road or as the crow flies, or is it dependent on how fast you are willing to drive? I wonder if there might be some flexibility depending on the HOCALJ. The contract specifies:
Alternate Duty Station (ADS) – an Employer-approved work site other than the Judge’s Permanent Duty Station (PDS). Specifically: A Judge’s home geographically convenient to the PDS or other Employer-approved work sites geographically convenient to the Judge’s PDS. The Telework Program Agreement will reflect the Judge’s home address.
Our last CALJ apparently teleworked from home in Kansas City to office in Falls Church.
You can calculate your "two-hour" reasonableness accordingly.
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Post by yodapug on Jun 27, 2017 7:55:17 GMT -5
Does anyone know how the "two hours" is measured? Is there a designated distance, either by road or as the crow flies, or is it dependent on how fast you are willing to drive? I wonder if there might be some flexibility depending on the HOCALJ. The contract specifies:
Alternate Duty Station (ADS) – an Employer-approved work site other than the Judge’s Permanent Duty Station (PDS). Specifically: A Judge’s home geographically convenient to the PDS or other Employer-approved work sites geographically convenient to the Judge’s PDS. The Telework Program Agreement will reflect the Judge’s home address.
Our last CALJ apparently teleworked from home in Kansas City to office in Falls Church.
You can calculate your "two-hour" reasonableness accordingly.
I want to know if anyone knows if an ALJ can have two telework locations. Could a judge telework from home (less than two hours away) and still have VPN access from their apartment in their duty station city to review files at night, etc.? If anyone knows for sure offhand?
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Telework
Jun 27, 2017 7:59:18 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by Gaidin on Jun 27, 2017 7:59:18 GMT -5
The contract specifies:
Alternate Duty Station (ADS) – an Employer-approved work site other than the Judge’s Permanent Duty Station (PDS). Specifically: A Judge’s home geographically convenient to the PDS or other Employer-approved work sites geographically convenient to the Judge’s PDS. The Telework Program Agreement will reflect the Judge’s home address.
Our last CALJ apparently teleworked from home in Kansas City to office in Falls Church.
You can calculate your "two-hour" reasonableness accordingly.
I want to know if anyone knows if an ALJ can have two telework locations. Could a judge telework from home (less than two hours away) and still have VPN access from their apartment in their duty station city to review files at night, etc.? If anyone knows for sure offhand? You may not officially have two telework locations.
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Post by tripper on Jun 27, 2017 8:10:24 GMT -5
I want to know if anyone knows if an ALJ can have two telework locations. Could a judge telework from home (less than two hours away) and still have VPN access from their apartment in their duty station city to review files at night, etc.? If anyone knows for sure offhand? You may not officially have two telework locations. Well that seems counter-intuitive to encouraging productivity.
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Telework
Jun 27, 2017 9:42:57 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by montyburns on Jun 27, 2017 9:42:57 GMT -5
The contract specifies:
Alternate Duty Station (ADS) – an Employer-approved work site other than the Judge’s Permanent Duty Station (PDS). Specifically: A Judge’s home geographically convenient to the PDS or other Employer-approved work sites geographically convenient to the Judge’s PDS. The Telework Program Agreement will reflect the Judge’s home address.
Our last CALJ apparently teleworked from home in Kansas City to office in Falls Church.
You can calculate your "two-hour" reasonableness accordingly.
I want to know if anyone knows if an ALJ can have two telework locations. Could a judge telework from home (less than two hours away) and still have VPN access from their apartment in their duty station city to review files at night, etc.? If anyone knows for sure offhand? Aside from what the k says, the practical part of this is they have to approve your ip addy for vpn access, and as far as I know, they can/will only approve one location per employee.
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Post by Baymax on Jun 27, 2017 21:53:28 GMT -5
Has anyone had another HO or FO as their ADS? What if an ALJ doesn't necessarily want to work from HOME but doesn't want to drive in to their office?
I'm not suggesting that would be smart, but for those of us with longer commutes, it could make a shred of sense (just a shred, mind you)
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Telework
Jun 27, 2017 22:27:07 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by montyburns on Jun 27, 2017 22:27:07 GMT -5
Has anyone had another HO or FO as their ADS? What if an ALJ doesn't necessarily want to work from HOME but doesn't want to drive in to their office? I'm not suggesting that would be smart, but for those of us with longer commutes, it could make a shred of sense (just a shred, mind you) I was wondering the same thing earlier today. I can't speak to the ALJ contract, but the NTEU k specifically states another SSA facility could be used as the ADS. However, it would still have to be within 2 hours of the home office. Never known anyone to do it, and I can't imagine a FO would be terribly receptive to the idea. HO might though, as long as you aren't going to complain about non conforming office space, etc. Another item of interest for me is whether the ADS must be your actual home. In the nteu k they say the ADS must be your "residence." Not sure if that means your primary residence, or weather you could have a apt/condo/trailer that otherwise meets the requirements for ADS. Not terribly cost efficient, but a thought. Really ODAR should 86 the 2 hour rule and just require you to carry enough annual leave to cover whatever the travel distance is and/or cover a 8 or 10 hour shift.
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Telework
Jun 27, 2017 23:04:22 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by montyburns on Jun 27, 2017 23:04:22 GMT -5
I want to know if anyone knows if an ALJ can have two telework locations. Could a judge telework from home (less than two hours away) and still have VPN access from their apartment in their duty station city to review files at night, etc.? If anyone knows for sure offhand? Gaiden's comments are not exactly correct due to his location. Teleworking and having VPN access are two separate issues. Once you have teleworking status, you have VPN access anywhere at anytime between the hours defined in the CBA, trust me, the system will shut you down around 10 PM at night, no matter where you are! I work many hours (sad, but true) after 6PM at home, at my hotel on travel dockets, in my truck going 90 miles an hour (I'm not driving)!
Once you are authorized teleworking on the days that you indicated 6 months in advance, you then can telework on the weekend IAW the CBA and you would have access anywhere that you have internet access. I have teleworked going down the interstate at 90 miles an hour (Wild wild West). If it falls on the weekend, where you are physically for telework is not an issue as long as you are authorized telework.
I was authorized VPN access well before teleworking (3 months or before my first 12 months of being an ALJ). VPN allows you access to the system to work on cases at a hotel in a remote site location or otherwise, YOU MAY NOT be able to claim credit hours or telework hours, but you will have the ability to work on your docket at your apartment, on the interstate or whereever, hence why they are two are separate issues.
Very interesting. I retract my previous comment.
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Post by eyre44 on Jun 28, 2017 5:24:42 GMT -5
Has anyone had another HO or FO as their ADS? What if an ALJ doesn't necessarily want to work from HOME but doesn't want to drive in to their office? I'm not suggesting that would be smart, but for those of us with longer commutes, it could make a shred of sense (just a shred, mind you) I was wondering the same thing earlier today. I can't speak to the ALJ contract, but the NTEU k specifically states another SSA facility could be used as the ADS. However, it would still have to be within 2 hours of the home office. Never known anyone to do it, and I can't imagine a FO would be terribly receptive to the idea. HO might though, as long as you aren't going to complain about non conforming office space, etc. Another item of interest for me is whether the ADS must be your actual home. In the nteu k they say the ADS must be your "residence." Not sure if that means your primary residence, or weather you could have a apt/condo/trailer that otherwise meets the requirements for ADS. Not terribly cost efficient, but a thought. Really ODAR should 86 the 2 hour rule and just require you to carry enough annual leave to cover whatever the travel distance is and/or cover a 8 or 10 hour shift. I know an ALJ who rented out office space to serve as their ADS due to the 2 hour rule. So apparently it does not have to be your actual home.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2017 6:51:00 GMT -5
Correctamundo Tiger!
You have made great comments on VPN vs. TW as well.
Newbies should be aware of some of the following facts in these areas:
Just because you are eligible to TW does not mean you can actually TW. For ALJs in more remote locales and just plain pitiful carrier areas, your internet speeds may be so poor or glitchy as to make TW impractical. It will serve you little purpose to sit and watch your govt laptop try to load and/or self terminate for hours per day when you could simply be at the office and get 10x as much work done in the same time. You may end up going to the office every day after all.
Your TW area must be pre-approved by TPTB. Generally you must show photos of your TW work area, including a photo of a fire extinguisher ever so strategically placed nearby, and complete a checklist form of TW area requirement complacency. Note TPTB reserve the right to enter your TW area at any time unannounced. Keep your 'jammies buttoned appropriately.
On TW you must routinely touch your mouse. (Minds out of the gutter folks) Yes, your laptop will time out on you if your mouse is not moved every so many minutes. There are actually little computer things you can buy online that can be plugged in to fool your computer into thinking the mouse is being moved to prevent timeouts. Yeah...don't even try.
Yes your computer is monitored. The very first thing you do upon receipt of your semi-shiny, slightly used, refurbished 22 lb Windows 7 government issued laptop is to place a cute sticker or electrical tape over the camera port looking at you. Smile and give a jaunty last wave to whomever as you do so, it will brighten their day as they once again lose another daily viewing portal. Accordingly I would not recommend designating a desk in for example your bedroom as your TW work area. A cute sticky does not block the microphone/listening port. (If I could figure out a way to do the same to the cameras in the hearing rooms that on their own randomly activate, follow and watch and listen to you in your hearings I would.)
The TW provisions mention that ALJs must keep daily logs of all work performed each TW day. Yeah.....right.
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Telework
Jun 28, 2017 9:07:11 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by montyburns on Jun 28, 2017 9:07:11 GMT -5
I was wondering the same thing earlier today. I can't speak to the ALJ contract, but the NTEU k specifically states another SSA facility could be used as the ADS. However, it would still have to be within 2 hours of the home office. Never known anyone to do it, and I can't imagine a FO would be terribly receptive to the idea. HO might though, as long as you aren't going to complain about non conforming office space, etc. Another item of interest for me is whether the ADS must be your actual home. In the nteu k they say the ADS must be your "residence." Not sure if that means your primary residence, or weather you could have a apt/condo/trailer that otherwise meets the requirements for ADS. Not terribly cost efficient, but a thought. Really ODAR should 86 the 2 hour rule and just require you to carry enough annual leave to cover whatever the travel distance is and/or cover a 8 or 10 hour shift. I know an ALJ who rented out office space to serve as their ADS due to the 2 hour rule. So apparently it does not have to be your actual home. Very interesting. Thank you for sharing this, food for thought for sure.
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Telework
Jun 28, 2017 9:27:35 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by mercury on Jun 28, 2017 9:27:35 GMT -5
I want to know if anyone knows if an ALJ can have two telework locations. Could a judge telework from home (less than two hours away) and still have VPN access from their apartment in their duty station city to review files at night, etc.? If anyone knows for sure offhand? Aside from what the k says, the practical part of this is they have to approve your ip addy for vpn access, and as far as I know, they can/will only approve one location per employee. This is incorrect, as partially discussed above. Most IP address assignments change over time unless you pay for a static IP. If my internet craps out, I switch to my phone's hotspot so I don't waste time going into the office. I know of people who visit their folks and work from there with oral but not in writing permission from IT. Management may have an issue with it, but hear no evil, see no evil...
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Post by montyburns on Jun 28, 2017 9:40:44 GMT -5
Correctamundo Tiger!
You have made great comments on VPN vs. TW as well.
Newbies should be aware of some of the following facts in these areas:
Just because you are eligible to TW does not mean you can actually TW. For ALJs in more remote locales and just plain pitiful carrier areas, your internet speeds may be so poor or glitchy as to make TW impractical. It will serve you little purpose to sit and watch your govt laptop try to load and/or self terminate for hours per day when you could simply be at the office and get 10x as much work done in the same time. You may end up going to the office every day after all.
Your TW area must be pre-approved by TPTB. Generally you must show photos of your TW work area, including a photo of a fire extinguisher ever so strategically placed nearby, and complete a checklist form of TW area requirement complacency. Note TPTB reserve the right to enter your TW area at any time unannounced. Keep your 'jammies buttoned appropriately.
On TW you must routinely touch your mouse. (Minds out of the gutter folks) Yes, your laptop will time out on you if your mouse is not moved every so many minutes. There are actually little computer things you can buy online that can be plugged in to fool your computer into thinking the mouse is being moved to prevent timeouts. Yeah...don't even try.. Wow, that's certainly different than the nteu k. Under the nteu agreement they can only inspect your ADS with 24 hour notice. Also never had to submit a photo. I find it ironic that when working at home everyone has this fear of not jiggling their mouse every 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in the office, no one cares.
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Telework
Jun 28, 2017 9:43:37 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by montyburns on Jun 28, 2017 9:43:37 GMT -5
Aside from what the k says, the practical part of this is they have to approve your ip addy for vpn access, and as far as I know, they can/will only approve one location per employee. This is incorrect, as partially discussed above. Most IP address assignments change over time unless you pay for a static IP. If my internet craps out, I switch to my phone's hotspot so I don't waste time going into the office. I know of people who visit their folks and work from there with oral but not in writing permission from IT. Management may have an issue with it, but hear no evil, see no evil... I was indeed, but happy to be so. Thanks for the insights and info.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2017 11:03:29 GMT -5
Correctamundo Tiger!
You have made great comments on VPN vs. TW as well.
Newbies should be aware of some of the following facts in these areas:
Just because you are eligible to TW does not mean you can actually TW. For ALJs in more remote locales and just plain pitiful carrier areas, your internet speeds may be so poor or glitchy as to make TW impractical. It will serve you little purpose to sit and watch your govt laptop try to load and/or self terminate for hours per day when you could simply be at the office and get 10x as much work done in the same time. You may end up going to the office every day after all.
Your TW area must be pre-approved by TPTB. Generally you must show photos of your TW work area, including a photo of a fire extinguisher ever so strategically placed nearby, and complete a checklist form of TW area requirement complacency. Note TPTB reserve the right to enter your TW area at any time unannounced. Keep your 'jammies buttoned appropriately.
On TW you must routinely touch your mouse. (Minds out of the gutter folks) Yes, your laptop will time out on you if your mouse is not moved every so many minutes. There are actually little computer things you can buy online that can be plugged in to fool your computer into thinking the mouse is being moved to prevent timeouts. Yeah...don't even try.. Wow, that's certainly different than the nteu k. Under the nteu agreement they can only inspect your ADS with 24 hour notice. Also never had to submit a photo. I find it ironic that when working at home everyone has this fear of not jiggling their mouse every 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in the office, no one cares.
Contract provides:
"If the ADS is not an SSA facility, the Judge will complete and sign the Self-Certification Safety Checklist for Telework Participants." (this is where the photos of your work area come in)
"In addition, the Employer reserves the right to inspect the ADS at any time without notice during the Judge’s working hours" (e.g., "Surprise!! We're here!")
"Employer reserves the right to monitor a Judge’s telework activity using systems tools." (E.g., we ARE watching you....)
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Telework
Jun 28, 2017 11:21:27 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by firehouse9 on Jun 28, 2017 11:21:27 GMT -5
This is only indirectly related, but what are the rules regarding hours at the SSA? Do ALJs have flexibility setting their hearings? Is there an official time clock? Do you have set working hours?
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Telework
Jun 28, 2017 11:39:04 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by judgymcjudgypants on Jun 28, 2017 11:39:04 GMT -5
Do you calculate the 2 hours as the car drives or as the helicopter flies? J
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