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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2014 8:24:52 GMT -5
I'm told recently by various IT folks in the agency we now have a VPN program, but it's boggy and crashes and does not compare to the private sector's capabilities. I'm also told by an ALJ who came from a northern state in a remote region that they were allowed to use VPN because of their circumstances. I would like to believe that attitudes at the top have changed and this is now being worked out, but as robg points out, who knows? VPN is currently being tested on a very small scale by certain ALJs. However, it's buggy, bandwidth is a huge issue, and security is a constant concern. As you noted, the senior leadership are forever worried about the possibility of a PII breach due to improper access into Agency systems. So while the Agency already inked the Union contract with AFGE last year to allow 500 SCTs nationwide to test VPN and do flex work from home using it, this pilot program keeps on being delayed and still hasn't happened yet. Hopefully this pilot will happen sooner than later. If the current ODAR leadership has its way, VPN and VTC will become an integral part of the future ODAR, much as CPMS and Eview are today. However, it looks like we still have a long way to get there due to all the tech issues involved. That's good to hear, I guess. Both promising and not promising at the same time. Thank you for sharing what you know. Do you mind if I ask where you and others are getting information on this subject? Is this just word of mouth, or is there a source somewhere? (I'm not being sarcastic here, I really am interested, and want to know what's going on. Amateur computer geek, you know.) Thinking about a post above, referencing implementation of VPN. You know, it's quite common for software and networking applications to come out in stages, with limited features. Release the Beta version, which might allow me to review, but not sign, and when you've ironed the bugs out of that part, add additional features. Build it out over time. That is one way this could have gone. I mean, CPMS and DGS and FIT are all continuing works in progress, right? Just thinking out loud.... |
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Post by ssareality on Feb 21, 2014 8:36:47 GMT -5
robg -
It's safe to say VPN isn't ready for prime time yet for a variety of reasons, but as I understand it, one of the biggest hurdles to what you're suggesting in terms of slow releases is the stability of servers. For those on the east coast, our computers have historically run more smoothly in the am, before the west coast is up and at it. The servers get bogged down with the bigger loads. The same concept is at issue with VPN. Even if they give us limited access, the sudden load of VPNs dialing in from around the country could cause serious issues with the servers.
That said, I'm no IT expert. I'm just someone who happens to hear a lot of the word on the street from Falls Church.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2014 9:10:05 GMT -5
Look at individual judges. And I don't mean new judges on a learning curve or rehired annuitants who work part time or the judges that retired part of the way into the year. The majority hit 500 dispositions in 2013, or real close to it. And if they hit 500 or close to it, I feel pretty confident that they generally (bold and underlined) scheduled 50+ hearings a month I've read this statement a couple of times now and it keeps bugging me. I did in the low 500s last year, I did not schedule 50 cases a month on average (bold and underlined). The math is simple. 500 cases a year is 41.6 cases scheduled a month. If you schedule 50 a month, and follow the benchmarks, you will have dispositions in the 600 plus range, especially if you add in dismissals. I've often given management the benefit of the doubt on these things, but the text and tone of this memo was pretty clear. If you want to work flexiplace in the future you will have a quota of 600 cases per year. Consequently, many of the ALJs you point to above will be denied flexiplace despite meeting the agency goal. I certainly understand the frustration. Everyone wants to feel like they are pulling their weight. Important to note for those outside the job waiting to get in (We need us some Funky), we were asked a few years ago to produce 500-700 dispositions per year. The new memo makes participation in telework contingent on scheduling a certain number of cases for hearing. Obviously, scheduled hearings do not equal dispositions. I went and pulled my numbers for reference. Last fiscal year I had 573 dispositions. Currently, my scheduling looks like this: Level March_2014 April_2014 May_2014 ME 60 54 59 MY OFFICE 56.4 51.8 41.2 MY REGION 48.8 35.8 22.7 ODAR WIDE 46.1 37.3 22.6 So, as many have stated, I have nothing to worry about. And that’s good, cause I’m not worried. But, I just wish, every once in a while, the focus would shift to something else. |
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Post by peterprinciple on Feb 21, 2014 9:54:47 GMT -5
That said, I'm no IT expert. I'm just someone who happens to hear a lot of the word on the street from Falls Church. Ssa,you may not be an IT expert, but based on your Intel and your assertions in your posts, as well as my own short stint in Falls Church and what I've learned of the people there, I would hazard a guess you're a stretch more than just "someone who happens to hear a lot of the word on the street from Falls Church." I would guess you are either within ODC or OCALJ. Care to confirm or deny? Or no comment? It would be nice to know who's in the room. |
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Post by peterprinciple on Feb 21, 2014 10:04:02 GMT -5
That said, I'm no IT expert. I'm just someone who happens to hear a lot of the word on the street from Falls Church. ...It would be nice to know who's in the room. By way of quid pro quo, ssareality, and for anyone who cares: I am just a lowly, rank and file ALJ. |
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Post by ssareality on Feb 21, 2014 10:14:29 GMT -5
That said, I'm no IT expert. I'm just someone who happens to hear a lot of the word on the street from Falls Church. Ssa,you may not be an IT expert, but based on your Intel and your assertions in your posts, as well as my own short stint in Falls Church and what I've learned of the people there, I would hazard a guess you're a stretch more than just "someone who happens to hear a lot of the word on the street from Falls Church." I would guess you are either within ODC or OCALJ. Care to confirm or deny? Or no comment? It would be nice to know who's in the room. Ah, the beauty of anonymous message boards.... I'd prefer to remain anonymous, but I'm not at headquarters. While lots of information may not make it's way down to line ALJs, managers everywhere hear all this stuff. Some share it, some don't. There aren't any secrets around the agency, just lots of day to day workings not really worth the time of everyone until it's time for implementation. Do line ALJs and attorneys really need to know about the technical difficulties with VPN? Nah. It's interesting to some, but noise to most. |
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Post by peterprinciple on Feb 21, 2014 10:55:37 GMT -5
"I'd prefer to remain anonymous..." "...managers everywhere hear all this stuff. Some share it, some don't..." "Do line ALJs and attorneys really need to know about the technical difficulties with VPN? Nah.... Well, you've certainly narrowed it down for me, if I take your statements and the information you purport to know in your other posts as true. You are obviously an agency manager. Confirmed, for me, by the smugness of your tone when describing how most people who are not management are on a "need to know" or "never need to know" basis. Everyone knows that "knowledge is power," and the mid/low level managers, in my experience, are the ones who most ascribe to this maxim. You also demonstrate one of the biggest problems with this agency (but, in truth, many organizations, including the AALJ): and that is the patronizing attitude of the execs toward the rank-and-file. That attitude that states, "oh, don't worry your little head about it. You'll know soon enough, when we ask you to do it." |
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Post by eyre44 on Feb 21, 2014 11:04:16 GMT -5
I'll take Ssareality's bet. Nobody thought they would enforce the hidden and not thought about "you must live within 2 hours of the office to flexiplace" provision either. But they are.
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Post by ALJD on Feb 21, 2014 11:34:37 GMT -5
Alright folks. This is not the AALJ message board and the discourse in this thread has been getting a bit uncivil.
Seriously, stick to the AALJ board for union-management stuff.
Aso, I am not fond of people asking for background info of other posters. This is an anonymous forum for a reason. If you want to be buddies, do it by PM.
I'm not sure what's in the water but it hasn't been good. Please behave as the professionals you're suppose to be.
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Post by sealaw90 on Feb 21, 2014 11:37:12 GMT -5
Ssa,you may not be an IT expert, but based on your Intel and your assertions in your posts, as well as my own short stint in Falls Church and what I've learned of the people there, I would hazard a guess you're a stretch more than just "someone who happens to hear a lot of the word on the street from Falls Church." I would guess you are either within ODC or OCALJ. Care to confirm or deny? Or no comment? It would be nice to know who's in the room. Ah, the beauty of anonymous message boards.... I'd prefer to remain anonymous, but I'm not at headquarters. . . I think the real question is not 'who' you are but why start posting now, this week? Are you an ALJ? An applicant for ALJ? It's all cool if you don't want to say which type of office you work in at SSA, but I can't understand why you started posting 2 days ago. Most new posters first like to say 'hello, I am a . . ." We try to stay polite (despite some vitriol this weekend), so your tactic has me curious  about your reason for being on this board in the first place. You seem to have some good intel, but not enough street cred to make me believe what you write. Let's just say "I'm from Missouri", ok? In the meantime, welcome aboard. |
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Post by ssareality on Feb 21, 2014 11:40:11 GMT -5
"I'd prefer to remain anonymous..." "...managers everywhere hear all this stuff. Some share it, some don't..." "Do line ALJs and attorneys really need to know about the technical difficulties with VPN? Nah.... Well, you've certainly narrowed it down for me, if I take your statements and the information you purport to know in your other posts as true. You are obviously an agency manager. Confirmed, for me, by the smugness of your tone when describing how most people who are not management are on a "need to know" or "never need to know" basis. Everyone knows that "knowledge is power," and the mid/low level managers, in my experience, are the ones who most ascribe to this maxim. You also demonstrate one of the biggest problems with this agency (but, in truth, many organizations, including the AALJ): and that is the patronizing attitude of the execs toward the rank-and-file. That attitude that states, "oh, don't worry your little head about it. You'll know soon enough, when we ask you to do it." Sorry, but not a manager. Like I said, most managers hear these things and some decide to share while others don't. Not being smug or patronizing. Just stating the reality that there is always lots going on behind the scenes, and it's generally not worth our time. I like to hear these things because I'm a pretty curious person, and it seems that you are too. But it's noise to lots of people. If they sent out a memo every time they had a technical difficulty that caused a new delay to VPN or anything of the like, we'd get those "your mailbox is almost full" emails even more often than we already do. That said, I'd be all for a newsletter or something that shared more info. But I can also see how mgmt may not want something like that bc some probably have employees that would begin hounding them each week for the latest, wasting everyone's time. There are two sides to every coin and there are many shades of gray. This message board oftentimes seems to suggest otherwise. I'm merely providing a different perspective, while not pretending to have all the right answers regarding what the right and wrong ways of doing things are. |
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Post by sealaw90 on Feb 21, 2014 11:46:12 GMT -5
I'll take Ssareality's bet. Nobody thought they would enforce the hidden and not thought about "you must live within 2 hours of the office to flexiplace" provision either. But they are.PLEASE elaborate - you mean I may not be able to telecomute on a Monday or Friday every week from my beautiful home, located in a resort town on the right coast, because my ODAR is located in crapland, i.e., more than 2 hours from my home? This may be a significant deal breaker for folks who have checked the 'all locations' box on the application. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2014 13:52:41 GMT -5
Well, Hey. Look at this. Another memo. (I may actually reach around and pat myself on the back here...I think someone actually read my post!) So, some good info here. Have to take the time to parse later...But so nice to get some information from the source!
Deputy Commissioner's Message
I am writing today to give you up-to-date information about ODAR’s telework program. Ours is both the longest-running and most expansive program in the agency. For over a decade, eligible ODAR employees have been working Flexiplace on a scheduled or episodic basis. We consider our telework program to be a success, and we are constantly looking for ways to improve and expand it.
A major opportunity to expand telework came last year when Acting Commissioner Colvin decided to allow remote access to SSA systems. Since that time, we have been testing remote access for a variety of ODAR positions. Our goal is to expand telework to the greatest extent possible to as many employees as possible. We are well on our way to achieving that goal.
Telework expansion is dependent on three factors: the availability of portable work, the availability of technology to support teleworking, and successful completion of negotiations with our unions on telework. Testing is underway for job functions like electronic case pulling, electronic folder review, and CPMS and ARPS entries, among others, and this testing will tell us whether the work is truly portable. The availability of technology is dependent upon our agency budget, which looks hopeful for both this year and the next, due to recent Congressional action.
Telework has many complementary benefits. It improves employee work-life balance. It can improve administrative efficiency through space and office sharing. It helps in recruitment and retention of employees, and it maintains the security and confidentiality of PII. To be truly successful, telework cannot diminish quality and public service, and we must all do our part to ensure its success.
Finally, I want you to know that the ODAR leadership team is absolutely committed to establishing and expanding a successful, remote-access telework program. The technical and logistical challenges are formidable, but we see significant potential benefits for employees, the agency, and the American public. We ask for your patience and support as we implement telework in a measured, reasoned way and continue to pursue agreement with our unions on telework expansion.
Glenn
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Post by bartleby on Feb 21, 2014 14:10:35 GMT -5
Sealaw90, don't know if you are be facetious or not, but that is what the Agency has said. No telework if more than 2 hours away.
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Post by westernalj on Feb 21, 2014 14:22:06 GMT -5
For my OGC office, at least, you can only telework from your home. I know of one person who had a short-term exception for family reasons, but otherwise that's the rule.
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Post by sealaw90 on Feb 21, 2014 14:24:39 GMT -5
Bart, I am not being facetious. There is only one ODAR 15 minutes from my house. The next 4 ODAR offices are between 100 - 200 miles away. My 'neighborhood' ODAR gets new hires once a decade, transfers once every 5 years.
Don't get me wrong, there are places in crapland I can work/live in, but there are family issues that prevent maximum flexibility in just picking up and moving the entire clan.
Silly me, I assumed that an ALJ eligible for telework could fly home in the evening and work from home the next day (or two). Wow...
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Post by hamster on Feb 21, 2014 16:28:00 GMT -5
New Deputy Commissioner's Message
Bartleby and Deltajudge: See, you have nothing to worry about! Management loves us and wants to work with us! Best, Hamster
"I am writing today to give you up-to-date information about ODAR’s telework program. Ours is both the longest-running and most expansive program in the agency. For over a decade, eligible ODAR employees have been working Flexiplace on a scheduled or episodic basis. We consider our telework program to be a success, and we are constantly looking for ways to improve and expand it.
A major opportunity to expand telework came last year when Acting Commissioner Colvin decided to allow remote access to SSA systems. Since that time, we have been testing remote access for a variety of ODAR positions. Our goal is to expand telework to the greatest extent possible to as many employees as possible. We are well on our way to achieving that goal.
Telework expansion is dependent on three factors: the availability of portable work, the availability of technology to support teleworking, and successful completion of negotiations with our unions on telework. Testing is underway for job functions like electronic case pulling, electronic folder review, and CPMS and ARPS entries, among others, and this testing will tell us whether the work is truly portable. The availability of technology is dependent upon our agency budget, which looks hopeful for both this year and the next, due to recent Congressional action.
Telework has many complementary benefits. It improves employee work-life balance. It can improve administrative efficiency through space and office sharing. It helps in recruitment and retention of employees, and it maintains the security and confidentiality of PII. To be truly successful, telework cannot diminish quality and public service, and we must all do our part to ensure its success.
Finally, I want you to know that the ODAR leadership team is absolutely committed to establishing and expanding a successful, remote-access telework program. The technical and logistical challenges are formidable, but we see significant potential benefits for employees, the agency, and the American public. We ask for your patience and support as we implement telework in a measured, reasoned way and continue to pursue agreement with our unions on telework expansion.
Glenn"
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Post by decadealj on Feb 21, 2014 17:54:07 GMT -5
hamster- why does ANIMAL FARM and 1984 come to mind?
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Post by deltajudge on Feb 21, 2014 19:24:46 GMT -5
8-)Res ipsa loquitor.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2014 10:15:56 GMT -5
I am conflicted. On one hand, I am grateful for any information that gets passed down. The Deputy Commissioner took the time to pass on a message, and I appreciate that. Also, I don’t want to discourage that. I want more information, not less. So, in all seriousness, I’m glad someone made the effort. But, with that said, the message itself is very bland, and short on detail, and just … weird. I went back and looked at my schedule. In August of 2012, I was at a training session when we asked about remote access of ALJs for telework. We were told “soon.” We now know from this message that the Commissioner at the time had not made the decision to allow remote access. The decision to allow access would not come until the Acting Commissioner made a decision “last year.” So, what was the point of telling us “soon”? (Would it be unfair to call that a lie?) Would not a more honest answer have been “The Commissioner believes that the danger of unauthorized access to PII outweighs any benefit derived from remote access, so we will not be implementing remote access at this time”? What the heck does “portable” mean? Doesn’t the fact that I load case files on a lap top, take the laptop home, review the files, make notes, then return to the office and download the files and notes back onto the sever pretty much establish “portability”? Somebody straighten me out on the last line of the last paragraph. What does “…continue to pursue agreement with our unions on telework expansion” mean? The February 18, 2014 memo says: “Article 15 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Social Security Administration, Office of Disability Adjudication and Review and the Association of Administrative Law Judges, International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, AFL-CIO & CLC was effective September 30, 2013.” Sounds like agreement? Somebody talk me down…I’m clearly overthinking…  |
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about your reason for being on this board in the first place.
