Consider calling HOCALJ

[rhialto]

A lot of current ALJs are awaiting our new colleagues with a sense of anticipation. I would suggest giving your HOCALJ a call, because the information about most of you is scanty.

I have been an ALJ for 6 years in Springfield, MO. The three things widely touted in the area are the original Bass Pro; Andy's frozen custard; and Lambert's - home of the throwed rolls.

I congratulate all of you who have run the OPM gauntlet.

*admin msg*

[Due to the public nature of this board, please pass phone numbers via private message to its intended receipent. Thanks for your consideration!]

[emphyrio]

I am eager to contact my HOCALJ and meet everyone else in my hearing office. I just hope Falls Church clears us to do it soon. I understand they are trying to figure everything out now, including requests to report early (or late, as in my case).

By the way, Rhialto, are you named after Rhialto the Marvelous?

[deadwood]

Mar 4, 2008 13:08:48 GMT -5 emphyrio said:

I am eager to contact my HOCALJ and meet everyone else in my hearing office. I just hope Falls Church clears us to do it soon. I understand they are trying to figure everything out now, including requests to report early (or late, as in my case).

By the way, Rhialto, are you named after Rhialto the Marvelous?

Has OCALJ requested that we not contact our new offices?

[skibum]

DW, that's the question I asked when I started the Protocol thread a few days ago. My email message containing the offer instructed me not to contact I disagreeigned office until offers were completed and SSA officials notified, whatever that may mean. I understand, though, that not all email messages contained that instruction...

[tootsie]

My e-mail did not contain that admonition, so I don't believe it was universal. I went ahead and called the HOCALJ and I was glad I did.

[rhialto]

Emphyrio was taken. Rhialto was my next best choice. I am the proud owner of a Vance Integral Edition. Glad to know there are at least two of us in the ALJ corp!

Can't answer for every single office, but most of us are eagerly anticipating the arrival of the new classes. We've got plenty for you to do.

[counselor95]

My email contained nothing about contacting or not contacting the HOCALJ, and I had already done so before anyone posted on this board with info to the contrary. (The only thing the email asked of me was to respond with my decision as to whether I accepted the offer.)

[judicature]

My email had the admonition.

I will comply until given clearance by the OCALJ.

[biker]

My email also indicated not to contact the office. I emailed Pat Rocheford and she confirmed that I shouldn't make any contact until late next week.

[knownuthin]

This is strange. Some of us got e-mails telling us not to contact our new offices and some not. I didn't, so like C95 I called my new office last Monday. I had a nice chat with the HOCALJ, who by virtue of this board's announcements about locations, knew I was Knownuthin. So unless you kept your location secret, your screen name is most likely known by your new office.

[cybear]

As part of my transition from self-employment to employment in a position not designed for the determination of personnel policy, I'm waiting patiently, along with Judicature, for word that it's OK to notify my new HOCALJ of how pleased I will be to work for him. That said, I am unable to discern any logical reason, at this late date, for continued delay. Perhaps someone has an explanation. Pix, are you there?

[knownuthin]

Maybe they haven't told your HOCALJ that he or she is getting a new judge and they are trying to figure out how to break the news. Like I saw somewhere else on this board, the HOCALJ is the last to know. Just kidding!! ;D Maybe someone didn't get the memo on what should be included in the notification e-mail, so we got varying instructions.

[julie]

I also received a specific directive from SSA telling me not to call my newly assigned office until further notice. One of my colleagues in this forum emailed me privately, and said that he believed a new HOCALJ was being transferred to my new office location. Perhaps that would be a reason some of us were given the directive and others were not. In any event, I am going to wait until next week, as recommended by "biker." Then I'll recontact SSA and ask for the green light.

[Pixie]

There is plenty of time to contact the HOCALJ. OCALJ will let region know and region will contact the hearing offices. Wait awhile and let OCALJ get things sorted out. You have plenty of time to be making the calls. Some of you have contacts in your future offices and have already made some calls. That's OK too. Pix.

[lee]

My e-mail contained the admonition, which I have followed. However, I sent an e-mail to Susan Martinelli yesterday, and she indicated that it would be ok to contact the CALJ at my new office next week. Next question--how do I find out who this is?

[deadwood]

Mar 8, 2008 20:28:12 GMT -5 lee said:

My e-mail contained the admonition, which I have followed. However, I sent an e-mail to Susan Martinelli yesterday, and she indicated that it would be ok to contact the CALJ at my new office next week. Next question--how do I find out who this is?

Below is a link to contact information for all of the ODARs.

I would call your new office, tell them who you are, and ask to speak with the HOCALJ. If the HOCALJ is unavailable, leave a message. I'm betting that you'll receive a return call. ;D

www.ssa.gov/appeals/ho_locator.html

[judicature]

I received the same message as Lee.

Apparently, Falls Church wanted to notify the Regional CALJ and the HOCALJ before the candidate contacted the HOCALJ.

[cybear]

I, too, emailed Susan Martinelli. This morning, she gave me the "green light " to contact my HOCALJ.

[mango]

I called her today and she gave green light as well. She also indicated acceptance packages being mailed today.

[lee]

I am glad to hear about the acceptance packages being mailed. I need to tender my letter of resignation later this week, and I started having nightmares of the offer then being rescinded, leaving me unemployed. Apparently, paranoia is my life.