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Post by hamster on Mar 21, 2021 18:06:06 GMT -5
How many judges can truthfully certify that they only wear their glasses for VDT use? I tried that, but I got cold. Now I wear glasses and a thong. |
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Post by hamster on Mar 21, 2021 18:13:51 GMT -5
In the scheme of things, it's not a lot of money, but there is absolutely no justification. Everybody today stares at computer screens and phone screens all day, in every job. Even the guy who rear-ended me a few months ago (he was staring at his phone). If they had a robe allowance, I could see some connection. It's just a gimme. A rip-off. Every other self-respecting federal employee buys his or her own glasses. I was issued several pairs of Birth Control Glasses during the 20 years I was on active-duty. And they worked! I took them off twice. And I have two fine sons. Coincidence? I think not. And have you noticed that the Swiss Guards at the Vatican do NOT wear BCGs? Coincidence? Again, I think not. Respectfully, Hamster |
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Post by ba on Mar 21, 2021 19:43:53 GMT -5
How many judges can truthfully certify that they only wear their glasses for VDT use? I tried that, but I got cold. Now I wear glasses and a thong. Is there a Union thong subsidy program? |
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Post by hamster on Mar 21, 2021 21:02:21 GMT -5
I tried that, but I got cold. Now I wear glasses and a thong. Is there a Union thong subsidy program? There should be, provided there’s enough support. Respectfully, Hamster |
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Post by 2rvrrun on Mar 21, 2021 22:58:00 GMT -5
Is there a Union thong subsidy program? There should be, provided there’s enough support. Respectfully, Hamster  |
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Post by jagvet on Mar 21, 2021 23:08:36 GMT -5
In the scheme of things, it's not a lot of money, but there is absolutely no justification. Everybody today stares at computer screens and phone screens all day, in every job. Even the guy who rear-ended me a few months ago (he was staring at his phone). If they had a robe allowance, I could see some connection. It's just a gimme. A rip-off. Every other self-respecting federal employee buys his or her own glasses. I was issued several pairs of Birth Control Glasses during the 20 years I was on active-duty. And they worked! I took them off twice. And I have two fine sons. Coincidence? I think not. And have you noticed that the Swiss Guards at the Vatican do NOT wear BCGs? Coincidence? Again, I think not. Respectfully, Hamster Back in my time, they were called "Goldwater" Glasses. I felt sorry for the single soldiers wearing those things, especially women. As I was only nearsighted then, I kept them in my car for driving at night when nobody could see me. The only human being to ever look good in those things is below. Attachments:
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Post by steelrain on Mar 22, 2021 7:12:35 GMT -5
I used it as an attorney advisor. Pretty sure it is available to all SSA employees (form SSA-4067), though perhaps AFGE and NTEU were smart enough to use language that tracks the form and not create a potential issue with a narrow construction of the plain language. Nothing on the form indicates the lenses must be solely used for a VDT, just that such lenses are necessary for viewing a VDT without sustaining eye strain or because of other ambiguous eye problems with using a VDT. I believe most lenses these days come with some amount of blue light filter, so essentially every new/changed prescription should satisfy the requirements. Thanks for the clarification. I guess the point I was trying to make is with literally trillions being spent, subsidized glasses for employees whose eye sight is impacted by their work does not outrage me. I am pretty sure the Agency has spent much more on VE fees for these unrepresented cases that keep getting rescheduled time and time again instead of being dismissed. I have quite a few that have been rescheduled 5 to 6 times and the VE still gets their fee. Now that is truly a waste of taxpayer money. |
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Post by jagvet on Mar 22, 2021 7:39:09 GMT -5
I agree that refusing to dismiss no-shows is a vast waste of resources. The newest guidance from CALJ deserves a Proxmire Award. If the cost of government waste is the only measure, the vision program is a minor blip. That still doesn't justify it. Why not have government doughnuts and coffee in the waiting rooms?
Failure to dismiss termination no-shows is even worse. Healthy people are being paid millions while we make calls to nonworking phones.
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Post by johnthornton on Mar 22, 2021 14:42:30 GMT -5
I used it as an attorney advisor. Pretty sure it is available to all SSA employees (form SSA-4067), though perhaps AFGE and NTEU were smart enough to use language that tracks the form and not create a potential issue with a narrow construction of the plain language. Nothing on the form indicates the lenses must be solely used for a VDT, just that such lenses are necessary for viewing a VDT without sustaining eye strain or because of other ambiguous eye problems with using a VDT. I believe most lenses these days come with some amount of blue light filter, so essentially every new/changed prescription should satisfy the requirements. Thanks for the clarification. I guess the point I was trying to make is with literally trillions being spent, subsidized glasses for employees whose eye sight is impacted by their work does not outrage me. "In this process, the Judge will present the practitioner with a form, obtained from management, which will indicate that any prescription should only be for VDT use. The practitioner must certify on the form that the eyeglasses/contact lenses (including disposable lenses) are for VDT use. This form must be returned to management." I can't even find form SSA-4067 on the website. Does anyone have a link? |
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Post by prescient on Mar 22, 2021 15:23:57 GMT -5
Thanks for the clarification. I guess the point I was trying to make is with literally trillions being spent, subsidized glasses for employees whose eye sight is impacted by their work does not outrage me. "In this process, the Judge will present the practitioner with a form, obtained from management, which will indicate that any prescription should only be for VDT use. The practitioner must certify on the form that the eyeglasses/contact lenses (including disposable lenses) are for VDT use. This form must be returned to management." I can't even find form SSA-4067 on the website. Does anyone have a link? Search for “vision program” Click the link labeled November The form is linked in the word doc |
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Post by johnthornton on Mar 22, 2021 15:40:29 GMT -5
"In this process, the Judge will present the practitioner with a form, obtained from management, which will indicate that any prescription should only be for VDT use. The practitioner must certify on the form that the eyeglasses/contact lenses (including disposable lenses) are for VDT use. This form must be returned to management." I can't even find form SSA-4067 on the website. Does anyone have a link? Search for “vision program” Click the link labeled November The form is linked in the word doc Thank you. I think I found the correct form. The certification is different from that in the AALJ contract: "I certify that I: (1)understand the terms of the Vision Program for VDT Users, (2) will not seek dual payment if reimbursed through an insurance provider, and (3) will not seek reimbursement if I already wear eyeglasses/contact lenses and my prescription does not change." |
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Post by jagvet on Mar 22, 2021 22:41:02 GMT -5
johnthornton, Pretty good vision you have to catch that. It's like that bumper sticker, "If you're close enough to read this, you're too darn close."
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Post by hamster on Mar 22, 2021 23:14:17 GMT -5
JAGvet: Today is William Shatner’s birthday. Too important to overlook.
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Post by jagvet on Mar 22, 2021 23:46:24 GMT -5
JAGvet: Today is William Shatner’s birthday. Too important to overlook. James Tiberius Kirk is 90 today. Happy birthday, Shat! |
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Post by tom b on Mar 23, 2021 8:27:57 GMT -5
JAGvet: Today is William Shatner’s birthday. Too important to overlook. James Tiberius Kirk is 90 today. Happy birthday, Shat! And from the annals of Naval Service: The Battle Group commander in the Pacific Northwest (Strike Group ELEVEN) is Rear Admiral James Kirk. No, it's not "Tiberius." He's a surface warfare officer. He just put on his second star. |
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Post by Baymax on Mar 30, 2021 8:08:08 GMT -5
In an office ALJ Teams meeting our HOCALJ announced that she asked RO about the VDT, and they advised that it has NOT been reinstated yet. Has anyone successfully gotten approved and paid in the past month?
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