|
Post by christina on Jan 7, 2016 19:01:29 GMT -5
tiger, a lot of your comments have been very helpful! thanks
|
|
|
Post by mercury on Jan 7, 2016 22:20:16 GMT -5
and mercury, ugh. i will have to come back to GS issue later once again. Sigh, everyone is starting to wake up so my nice quiet time has quickly ended. Super briefly, as i mentioned above, get your 7 years of qualifying legal experience in as OPM defines QLE before you take on the GS job. minuses have been noted above by those who have been in those trenches. i agree with those assessments. Plusses, well a GS-13 makes more than a 12. Many insiders who are now judges have management experience and imo, doing a good job as a GS and HOD can help in your ALJ application if you make a SSA cert. Second, you have a chance to meet others outside your office and make connections. Re telework, there has been a pilot that allows some managers to telework maybe one day a week. it this goes well and as our offices get more and more cyber, it is plausible managers will have more chances to telework. hoping to post more by the weekend!!! Time for more caffeine and work now! Thanks...I am looking at it because it could offer geographic flexibility at the 13 level. Appreciate any insight you have. I am concerned about making it to 7 years QLE because I would like to apply for GS before that.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2016 7:17:23 GMT -5
Re telework, there has been a pilot that allows some managers to telework maybe one day a week. it this goes well and as our offices get more and more cyber, it is plausible managers will have more chances to telework. I know that management at my former ODAR location gets to telework once per week, although I wouldn't expect that to increase. Someone has to be there to keep the circus running, after all. There are just too many issues that arise throughout the day -- whether it's personnel, facilities, or other drama.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2016 9:20:25 GMT -5
I expect over the next decade that TW will be the rule rather than the exception. E.g, just this past week, the CALJ announced it was looking for an ALJ (fluent in Spanish), anywhere, [Please!Anyone?Anywhere?Anyone? was the gist of the memo] who would be willing to be the ALJ for the Puerto Rico ODAR. Notably that ALJ can remain in his/her current locale; the hearings will be via video. If there was any need for an in person hearing, the implication was that the SSA would fly the ALJ in/out for the hearing. IMHO I expect this will be the future direction of SSA Hearings (VTC) and ALJs will be able to stay where they are and conduct hearings for any locale. E.g. I am already doing same, 98% of my hearings are VTC covering multistates. There is in stark reality little reason for me to be "assigned" to a particular office, I could do the hearings from a home setup. This (ALJ home office VTC setup) I think will definitely occur in the next decade.
|
|
|
Post by christina on Jan 8, 2016 9:36:00 GMT -5
i see something along those lines coming too papajudge.
|
|
|
Post by Propmaster on Jan 8, 2016 10:39:07 GMT -5
Really?? That's not good. i actually thought a plus of being an ALJ would be i could work past 6. yeah, call me weird but i hate getting tossed out at 6 if im in the middle of something. The agency used to be a lot more cool about people staying in office past 6 then they are these days. our office even tosses ALJ's out at 6, which in think may violate your CBA? and papajudge, i don't think you are teleworking yet? thanks for the real world input BTW.... Article 14, Section 6 of the CBA allows access from 5 AM to 10 PM, so long as the Judge request to be Office-in-Charge (OIC) and there is no expectation of utilities (heat or AC) and no computer assistance until regular business hours on regular work days.
The HOD and HOCALJ in Tupelo tried to do that (not for any punishment type purpose, but b/c they thought it was required based upon a security inspection) and a swift and immediate response by the ALJs to READ the contract ended that plan. The AALJ's contract can be your best friend and "even I know that". So if I was in the office above, we would be fighting that and winning with the Agency. {snip}
Indeed; but wait. One region dealt with that by having the landlord turn off the power to the entire floor of the office building where an ODAR was located with ALJs who wanted to work past 6:00. No power = no work. Do not underestimate management's desire to avoid being bound by CBAs.
|
|
|
Post by christina on Jan 8, 2016 10:42:45 GMT -5
sadly propmaster, i have to agree.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2016 11:10:34 GMT -5
Article 14, Section 6 of the CBA allows access from 5 AM to 10 PM, so long as the Judge request to be Office-in-Charge (OIC) and there is no expectation of utilities (heat or AC) and no computer assistance until regular business hours on regular work days.
The HOD and HOCALJ in Tupelo tried to do that (not for any punishment type purpose, but b/c they thought it was required based upon a security inspection) and a swift and immediate response by the ALJs to READ the contract ended that plan. The AALJ's contract can be your best friend and "even I know that". So if I was in the office above, we would be fighting that and winning with the Agency. {snip}
Indeed; but wait. One region dealt with that by having the landlord turn off the power to the entire floor of the office building where an ODAR was located with ALJs who wanted to work past 6:00. No power = no work. Do not underestimate management's desire to avoid being bound by CBAs. That’s a neat trick and it was not challenged apparently, because a Judge could argue that to be a “change in working conditions”, similar to the Kentucky hearing office. In that office, management took positive steps to change the policy of the Federal Building's security officers allowing ALJs to bypass security lines like all other Judges were allowed to bypass in that building. The Union fought it for years and the Judge in arbitration ruled in the Union’s favor. Basically, if management takes active steps to circumvent the intent of the contract, then it “could” be considered a “change in working conditions” not bargained for between the parties.
It’s hard to believe that an entire Region did this without the Union making a challenge. But I don’t have a horse in that race and never will as our office is one of many private and government offices on the same floor that work at night and on the weekends, so management would have to work to cut off just the ODAR office and that would be a “clear” breach of the contract!
You know if some of the Judges that are in management would remember what it is like as an ALJ trying to do their job, maybe they would work harder at ways to help us instead of trying to prove who’s in charge! In my opinion. Tiger
|
|
|
Post by christina on Jan 8, 2016 11:19:47 GMT -5
or just focus on helping the judges and employees meet the bottom line goals, which to me are moving as many cases as quickly and accurately as possible(the latter covers due process issues). There are many managers who focus on this but not all do. and for those who hinder the bottom line, i don't get it. their heads can roll if odar falls short with the goals so it's in their best interest to help rather than hinder the process.
|
|
|
Post by christina on Jan 8, 2016 11:51:21 GMT -5
Thanks to everyone for the responses. I did indeed mean hearing office, not field, for questions about the GS job--sorry, had just finished a DA&A case! I would particularly be interested in more on management techniques and what a GS does day to day. mercury, i will hit this as best as i can. it is my understanding different offices split up mangt duties differently. For example, some may have a GS that primarily works with the writing staff while the other GS;s cover other areas, some split up all employees, regardless of duties, to all GSs in an office, and i have seen and heard of other ways of splitting management duties as well. the GS, and many offices have at least one, are the people who are responsible for overseeing caseflow, personnel issues, irate claimants, and just about everything else in an office. Some are involved in training new employees; others delegate this task. Day to day duties vary. Some days are crazy. others are less so. As an agency who is fond of bean counting, of course, there are emails and memos going back and forth from Regional regarding bean counting. An employee short circuits, the manager has to deal with it. Employees jab too much and for too long. Gs breaks up social hour. There are also a lot of phone meetings that either Central or Regional orders. There is a lot more than what I've noted but my comments can at least be a start.
|
|
|
Post by Propmaster on Jan 8, 2016 12:21:43 GMT -5
Indeed; but wait. One region dealt with that by having the landlord turn off the power to the entire floor of the office building where an ODAR was located with ALJs who wanted to work past 6:00. No power = no work. Do not underestimate management's desire to avoid being bound by CBAs. That’s a neat trick and it was not challenged apparently, because a Judge could argue that to be a “change in working conditions”, similar to the Kentucky hearing office. In that office, management took positive steps to change the policy of the Federal Building's security officers allowing ALJs to bypass security lines like all other Judges were allowed to bypass in that building. The Union fought it for years and the Judge in arbitration ruled in the Union’s favor. Basically, if management takes active steps to circumvent the intent of the contract, then it “could” be considered a “change in working conditions” not bargained for between the parties.
It’s hard to believe that an entire Region did this without the Union making a challenge. But I don’t have a horse in that race and never will as our office is one of many private and government offices on the same floor that work at night and on the weekends, so management would have to work to cut off just the ODAR office and that would be a “clear” breach of the contract!
You know if some of the Judges that are in management would remember what it is like as an ALJ trying to do their job, maybe they would work harder at ways to help us instead of trying to prove who’s in charge! In my opinion. Tiger
The information came out when the non-government office on the same floor of the private office building also had its power cut and wanted to know why. Now they only cut the ODAR power. Also, the ALJ management corps is increasingly made up of ALJs with minimal ALJ experience and maximal management experience. More than one RCALJ and HOCALJ are on meteoric rises from new hiree to senior management. So they have nothing to remember.
|
|
|
Post by ok1956 on Jan 8, 2016 16:04:31 GMT -5
It's been interesting to read about offices going to extremes to get ALJs "out." I'm frequently OIC and if I'm in the middle of reviewing a decision or preparing instructions I don't leave at straight up 6 (or whenever my quarter hour is up). The only thing anyone has ever said to me is to remind me I can't count that time as part of my 8 hours or as credit time. It's certainly not a big deal at all.
|
|
|
Post by christina on Jan 8, 2016 16:32:36 GMT -5
wow, that would be nice....
|
|
|
Post by cafeta on Jan 8, 2016 23:39:34 GMT -5
I expect over the next decade that TW will be the rule rather than the exception. E.g, just this past week, the CALJ announced it was looking for an ALJ (fluent in Spanish), anywhere, [Please!Anyone?Anywhere?Anyone? was the gist of the memo] who would be willing to be the ALJ for the Puerto Rico ODAR. Notably that ALJ can remain in his/her current locale; the hearings will be via video. If there was any need for an in person hearing, the implication was that the SSA would fly the ALJ in/out for the hearing. IMHO I expect this will be the future direction of SSA Hearings (VTC) and ALJs will be able to stay where they are and conduct hearings for any locale. E.g. I am already doing same, 98% of my hearings are VTC covering multistates. There is in stark reality little reason for me to be "assigned" to a particular office, I could do the hearings from a home setup. This (ALJ home office VTC setup) I think will definitely occur in the next decade. I have had the same thought, and have been hoping that this will make a small gal irrelevant! Important for me as I have a small gal ( no pun intended, really, NO PUN INTENDED). Anyway, it makes perfect sense to relieve the offfice distribution problem currently faced by SSA. Please, make it so!
|
|
|
Post by Snowbird on Jan 9, 2016 8:17:32 GMT -5
I am troubled by the small but persistent differential in outcomes between video and live, even after controlling for representation. Perhaps if everyone used video I'd be less bothered.
|
|
|
Post by luckylady2 on Jan 9, 2016 16:18:46 GMT -5
[/quote]Sorry, Libertya, this Board is for people who are interested in becoming ALJ's - for ANY agency. It's not a forum for questions or problems with the SSA's claim process.
Edit Note by Pixie: I have deleted the post by Libertya and the quoted post in this response, but am leaving the response by Lucky Lady so Libertya can see the purpose of the Board. Pixie.
|
|
|
Post by mercury on Jan 10, 2016 9:37:16 GMT -5
I am troubled by the small but persistent differential in outcomes between video and live, even after controlling for representation. Perhaps if everyone used video I'd be less bothered.
Edit: Found the article from ACUS: Video hearings have lower allowance rates, presumably because positive factors towards credibility such as the claimant's physical presence in the room could assist ALJs in making decisions.
|
|
|
Post by christina on Jan 10, 2016 9:58:19 GMT -5
not going to touch on that here. There are other issues at play and imo, the judges can reasonably evaluate credbility in a video context.
And although this is an important policy issue to examine and confirm all claimants have a level playing field, i don;t consider this forum to be the best place to delve into this issue.
|
|
|
Post by JudgeRatty on Jan 10, 2016 20:00:37 GMT -5
not going to touch on that here. There are other issues at play and imo, the judges can reasonably evaluate credbility in a video context. And although this is an important policy issue to examine and confirm all claimants have a level playing field, i don;t consider this forum to be the best place to delve into this issue. Exactly. I think Issues related to advocacy or representation have other boards.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2016 8:11:23 GMT -5
The plusses of being an ALJ for SSA just became immeasurably better this morning. Effective today, 01/11/2016, ALJs can now start claiming credit hours while teleworking at home during the week and/or on weekends.
|
|