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Post by aljwishhope on Nov 30, 2015 19:43:51 GMT -5
Help. I need to know whether we can bring lunch and stay in testing room to eat it. This is not a trivial question. I have a relatively new supervisor. I just got an email from him regarding his being out of office for training this week including the date of my lbmt and wd. He did not state where his training; however last week i filled out a questionnaire for him related to leadership and this week OPM has leadership training for new supervisors at the same 1900 E Street address as lbmt/wd. I do not want to run into boss. He does not yet know about my application and I do not yet really know him. So going to try to avoid the opm café at lunch time. I just cannot believe this.
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Post by pumpkin on Nov 30, 2015 19:46:26 GMT -5
I'm pretty sure they locked the room during the lunch break, so I'm guessing the answer to your question is "no." There is also a sign posted that says something like "no food" or "no eating" in testing room.
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Post by JudgeRatty on Nov 30, 2015 20:47:32 GMT -5
I'm pretty sure they locked the room during the lunch break, so I'm guessing the answer to your question is "no." There is also a sign posted that says something like "no food" or "no eating" in testing room. Yep. |
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Post by 71stretch on Nov 30, 2015 20:53:43 GMT -5
Perhaps a "leadership training" group is not lunching in the OPM cafeteriaevery day for a week. When did they change things to not allow eating of snacks (maybe not a full course meal) in the testing room? I did, so did others, and we were told we could. There's a big area upstairs where there might be some seating (I really don't remember) where you could hide out behind a good book if you can't stay in the testing room and you don't want to chance the cafeteria.
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Post by christina on Nov 30, 2015 21:31:41 GMT -5
the testing room is locked over lunch so 71stretch likely had best idea about the upstairs area.
and maybe your sup is doing GS training or some type of odar leadership so he might not be at OPM? sorry, i just realized what i said assumes you work at odar.
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Post by Gaidin on Nov 30, 2015 22:04:15 GMT -5
You should be able to bring a lunch bag in. You could step outside and eat in one of the little areas nearby then get back in fairly quick. I wouldn't bank of having time to go eat at a restaurant but you probably have time to step outside maybe..... Yikes.
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Post by phoenixrakkasan on Nov 30, 2015 22:16:01 GMT -5
Just dress down so you will not be recognized. If you run into him, tell him you were meeting with OPM officials concerning your desk audit.
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Post by aljwishhope on Nov 30, 2015 22:36:33 GMT -5
Thanks Christina, but no I do not work for ODAR. Boss is as secretive about his career plans as I am. I am taking off work Tuesday through Thursday and so his he. He sent out his message after 5- just lucky I read it and did not run into him unawares of the possibility. And I would prefer my career aspirations not to be water cooler discussion for management. Luckily I often skip lunch - I will look for that upstairs area to hide mentioned by 71stretch and otherwise not worry about what I cannot control. Just a crazy coincidence. I might be flattering myself too much. I work from home all the time and have only met him face to face about 2 times - He might not even recognize me.
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Post by Velma on Nov 30, 2015 22:45:48 GMT -5
I assume you are testing on a day you requested for vacation or comp time or some other legitimate time off. So, it's not really your supervisor's place to inquire about how you are spending that day. This is OPM - you could be picking up a brochure or meeting an old friend for lunch. Use your imagination. Prepare your story and prepare to stick to it. Then get back to focusing on the tasks at hand.
Also, in my (possibly fading) memory, the lunchroom had some nooks and crannies suitable for providing cover.
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Post by ALittleJudge on Dec 1, 2015 8:02:33 GMT -5
There is a Subway across the street from OPM. I think WhichWich may have hurt their business, as there was not much of a line even at the lunch hour. It would still require you to get in and out of the building, but at least it isn't the OPM cafeteria. (Is it possible your supervisor is also testing? If so, you might just treat each other like Baptists in the liquor store -- don't make eye contact, don't speak, and never breathe a word of it to anyone outside that room.)
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Post by auroraborealis on Dec 1, 2015 9:28:59 GMT -5
Also keep in mind when I tested we ran over pretty late and were running right up until the cafeteria was about to close when we broke for lunch. If that is typical, I'd bet that the training group would stick to a more normal lunch hour (12/12:30) which means it is much less likely you would run into someone. I also offer that in addition to the subway and 7-Eleven there is a Starbucks across the street. There are also food trucks that pull up along the backside of the OPM building so assuming it isn't raining you'd have the option of picking up something fast, eating outside and then making your way back into the building. Sunglasses and a hat and you are good to go. Good luck!
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Post by sealaw90 on Dec 1, 2015 9:47:25 GMT -5
There is a Subway across the street from OPM. I think WhichWich may have hurt their business, as there was not much of a line even at the lunch hour. It would still require you to get in and out of the building, but at least it isn't the OPM cafeteria. (Is it possible your supervisor is also testing? If so, you might just treat each other like Baptists in the liquor store -- don't make eye contact, don't speak, and never breathe a word of it to anyone outside that room.) That was my thought exactly, his boss will be testing at the same time. That would actually be better since you would hold information he would rather not be released. Information can be a powerful ally. My other suggestion is to wear a hoodie, or other casual attire you can bundle yourself into if needed. On my testing day, a military judge who I disliked and his disdain for me was always obvious in the courtroom, was testing at the same time! I was working hard to not get his attention, leat he blab it all over town. Needless to say, he was so focused and nervous about the test, he never noticed I was there. |
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Post by aljwishhope on Dec 1, 2015 19:25:13 GMT -5
Thanks for all the tips on lunch. This is why I am interested in working for ODAR. A great group of people. Years ago I was a writer in the Office of Hearings and Appeals on a 2 year NTE appointment - found another job as I wanted not temporary. But met excellent folks there - more excellent than my current coworkers.
Tip on DC -- I do not work at SSA but at my agency we have not done an open hire of an attorney in 14 years. Unless you have an inside track of some kind (i.e. you are a DOL attorney and you know something about your agency's upcoming hiring of ALJs) I would say do not limit your GAL to 3 or 4 popular cities. It seems that attorneys, including ALJs, in DC do not leave their jobs. Believe you me I really would love to stay in the DC area (and Baltimore is not DC) but unless I get a 99 on my NOR limiting my GAL would make it very unlikely that I would get an offer. Then 2 or 3 years I would be thinking I could be transferring back to DC now (or that they are hiring sitting OMHA ALJs in DC area and I could have been applying).
As has been said this is a great opportunity to be on the register, please use your opportunity wisely.
Best wishes to all.
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Post by aljwantabe on Dec 3, 2015 18:54:17 GMT -5
Aljwishhope I went across the street to the Starbucks. Got one of their pre-packaged sandwiches and a frozen caffeinated beverage. I was not really hungry but wanted some protein and caffeine! I forgot to mention this when I reported my stats, but I found the testing room to be extremely warm, to the point where I was using a piece of paper as a fan  . I am usually the first one to get cold. So if you are one of those people who are usually warm, wear short sleeves and take a jacket. |
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Post by gary on Dec 3, 2015 19:03:14 GMT -5
Aljwishhope I went across the street to the Starbucks. Got one of their pre-packaged sandwiches and a frozen caffeinated beverage. I was not really hungry but wanted some protein and caffeine! I forgot to mention this when I reported my stats, but I found the testing room to be extremely warm, to the point where I was using a piece of paper as a fan . I am usually the first one to get cold. So if you are one of those people who are usually warm, wear short sleeves and take a jacket. It sounds like they've overcompensated. In 2013 the room was cold. |
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Post by Thomas fka Lance on Dec 3, 2015 19:07:04 GMT -5
I am curious, aljwishhope, were you able to avoid your supervisor, or was he in the testing room with you?
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Post by aljwishhope on Dec 3, 2015 21:37:01 GMT -5
Lance
no I did not see him. Have meeting with him tomorrow. He went to some other training.
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Post by sealaw90 on Dec 4, 2015 10:19:23 GMT -5
Lance no I did not see him. Have meeting with him tomorrow. He went to some other training. Phew!! Crises averted! TGIF!  |
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. I am usually the first one to get cold. So if you are one of those people who are usually warm, wear short sleeves and take a jacket.
