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Post by hopefalj on Jul 23, 2022 11:40:07 GMT -5
I'm a writer and three years away from when I would like to retire. However, I took the opportunity during the pandemic to move closer to family, approximately two hours from the office. I knew, of course, that I couuld be required to return to the office. My current plan is to retire immediately if I'm forced to return to the office, but if I can continue to 100% telework, I will continue to work for another three years. I attempted to transfer to the office closest to me, but was denied despite the fact the HOD in my office and the HOD at the office I wished to transfer to had both signed off. I love my job and would really like to keep working, but I took my chances by moving. However, it would be a shame to lose a valuable employee over inflexible policies such as not allowing people to transfer or telework. As a writer there is absolutely no reason for me to be in the office. Like many others, I'm more productive when I work from home without having all the interruptions that occur in the office. Have you thought about trying a 4/10 schedule before fully retiring just to see if that is palatable? If you’re 3 years from retirement, I’m guessing you’re 15+ and at the 8hr leave category. Maybe you could work M-Th with Monday being in-office and the other three days being telework? You’d have to use a little leave on Monday holidays (I think), but that could make that long drive easier to take. In terms of ALJ office space, if all I’m doing is coming into the office for in-person or video hearings, I don’t need an office. My office has had two remote/travel sites at various times, and I did all my work at the bench before and after my hearings with no problem since no one else was in there before or after the hearings. I would gladly adopt hoteling if I only had to come in on those days as well. |
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Post by pumpkin on Jul 23, 2022 13:20:42 GMT -5
In terms of ALJ office space, if all I’m doing is coming into the office for in-person or video hearings, I don’t need an office. My office has had two remote/travel sites at various times, and I did all my work at the bench before and after my hearings with no problem since no one else was in there before or after the hearings. I would gladly adopt hoteling if I only had to come in on those days as well. Ditto. |
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Post by tripper on Jul 28, 2022 14:20:15 GMT -5
Looks like the waiting period for new judges to telework is eliminated in new CBA.
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Post by FrogEsq on Jul 28, 2022 15:44:40 GMT -5
Looks like the waiting period for new judges to telework is eliminated in new CBA. IMHO, if they are wise, they will wait to telework. Upon my appointment (from outside), I was required to relocate to the Midwest from the East Coast. No, I didn't have the telework option yet, so I spent my year in the office. But, before I could start teleworking, my name popped on the transfer list and I was able to move back home, so to speak.
At that point, I did have the telework option PLUS the experience of that first year. So, I declined telework for one more year. I learned I needed time to form relationships with the other judges (well, somewhat) and the staff (more-so). It was a year very well spent.
But, now is not then. I had in person hearings for the first time today. No one appeared- Lets just say they were all claimants whose names I recognized but whose faces I had never seen.  The office felt empty. Only half of the hearing rooms were in use. There were no decision writers. Maybe 5 support staff. The Group Soups, the HOD and 1 IT staffer. It was great to sit with a few of The Brethren and chat again. But, the place felt mostly empty. Remote work is the new reality, I think. The development of those relationships for new judges won't be made easier by remote work. But, it does make those relationships even more indispensable.
Given our current circumstances, if it were me and I had never been to the particular office, I would plan on working in the office for the year. Remote work ain't going away.
I'm sure there are some well considered exceptions to these general thoughts.
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Post by christina on Jul 28, 2022 15:47:16 GMT -5
Looks like the waiting period for new judges to telework is eliminated in new CBA. Wow |
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Post by ssaogc on Jul 28, 2022 17:20:00 GMT -5
Lots of changes. Most for the better. I hope a few members do not mess up a good deal by being the proverbial “dead wood” I wish there was a place we could discuss specifics  |
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Post by christina on Jul 28, 2022 17:25:20 GMT -5
Lots of changes. Most for the better. I hope a few members do not mess up a good deal by being the proverbial “dead wood” I wish there was a place we could discuss specifics Well u could start a message with interested folks. I think Pixie would be cool with that |
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Post by Pixie on Jul 28, 2022 18:10:54 GMT -5
Let's not discuss the new contract. Anyone who is affected will have seen a copy. Let's just concentrate on other things. Pixie
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Post by pumpkin on Jul 28, 2022 19:20:48 GMT -5
Looks like the waiting period for new judges to telework is eliminated in new CBA. I came to the ALJ job from another federal agency where I was regularly teleworking one or two days per week. The loss of telework almost caused me to give up the ALJ job and go back to my old agency. (Well, that, and the ridiculous requirement that judges sign in and out on a paper logbook.) My experiences were very different from @frogesq. I found myself walking alone several blocks to my parking garage at 10 PM in a high crime area, passing hand-to-car window drug transactions just to get back to my car to go home. I would agree that you are the least efficient when you first begin the ALJ job. But that’s all the more reason, IMHO, to permit new ALJ‘s to be able to telework. Telework should be neither a carrot nor a stick. If you cannot be trusted to do your work while teleworking, then you shouldn’t have this job, period. If you abuse telework by cheating the United States out of the value of your work time by doing your kids’ homework, engaging in household chores, giving the dog a bath, or scrolling Instagram, then your telework should be terminated (if not your employment). |
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Post by nylawyer on Jul 28, 2022 20:36:33 GMT -5
Let's not discuss the new contract. Anyone who is affected will have seen a copy. Let's just concentrate on other things. Pixie So, where is the line? Obviously, advocating for or against acceptance is out. But prospective ALJs don't have access to the contract yet (for that matter, do non-union ALJs?) And it has always been one of the useful functions of this board to provide info on the work conditions. |
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Post by superalj on Jul 28, 2022 21:31:28 GMT -5
Non union ALJs should chip in and pay dues. I know they don’t legally have to but they know better.
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Post by WallyGator on Jul 28, 2022 21:42:14 GMT -5
Non union ALJs should chip in and pay dues. I know they don’t legally have to but they know better. Perhaps “non-union” was a reference to NHC ALJs. I don’t think they can pay dues to the union, but they might have some interest in the contract if they are considering transferring to a hearing office. |
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Post by badger on Jul 29, 2022 5:31:31 GMT -5
Let's not discuss the new contract. Anyone who is affected will have seen a copy. Let's just concentrate on other things. Pixie So, where is the line? Obviously, advocating for or against acceptance is out. But prospective ALJs don't have access to the contract yet (for that matter, do non-union ALJs?) And it has always been one of the useful functions of this board to provide info on the work conditions. The tidbits that have been posted about telework completely change the plan of action I would take if an offer came my way. I'm not sure there is much else in a union contract that would immediately matter to a new Judge, but the telework information would be very helpful. |
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Post by Pixie on Jul 29, 2022 8:05:08 GMT -5
Here are the bare bones of the telework provisions:
Judges may telework any time they are not having hearings or required to be in the office for any other reason.
A judge may have two telework locations (ADS) plus a temporary ADS.
Everyone needs to understand that this board is monitored by everyone all across the country, and by a bunch in China as well. This board isn't limited to a small group of collegial people with the same objectives.
Additionally, topics concerning union matters seldom end well. In my experience, it is best that we not discuss them. It is beyond the scope of what we do here. Pixie
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Post by tripper on Jul 29, 2022 8:06:38 GMT -5
I think the expanded work band is also important information to share. You can now complete your work day between 5am-10pm. The pay period will consist of “any 80”.
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Post by FrogEsq on Jul 29, 2022 8:19:33 GMT -5
I was so hoping for a sabbatical provision.... |
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Post by ssaogc on Jul 29, 2022 9:04:48 GMT -5
I was so hoping for a sabbatical provision.... I was hoping for one too but the next best thing is the possibility of part time work, almost like a phased retirement which is in the proposed contract. |
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Post by Mister Atkins on Jul 29, 2022 14:48:28 GMT -5
I was so hoping for a sabbatical provision.... I was hoping for one too but the next best thing is the possibility of part time work, almost like a phased retirement which is in the proposed contract. Me too. I guess pirating in the Caribbean will have to wait |
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Post by christina on Jul 29, 2022 14:51:33 GMT -5
I think the expanded work band is also important information to share. You can now complete your work day between 5am-10pm. The pay period will consist of “any 80”. That’s a sweet feature |
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Post by jagvet on Jul 29, 2022 16:11:31 GMT -5
As much as I enjoy telework, I look forward to days in the office, even with very few people there. The HOSA (IT wizard) is always there, and can help fix stuff easier. There's a great view from the office (at home, I have no view, but I do have the fridge). My name was on a Post-It note until it fell off (they're not spending on fancy name plates for doors). The coffee shop is never crowded. On my first in-person hearings, I was totally shocked by what reps I had never seen looked like. One looked about double the age I thought he was. One looked about half!
Misquoting "Apocalypse Now," "I love the smell of Plexiglas in the morning."
I pay for monthly parking even though I just go in about 5-6 days a month because meters are overpriced and would cost more.
There's something actually energizing about leaving the house in the morning to "go to work."
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The office felt empty. Only half of the hearing rooms were in use. There were no decision writers. Maybe 5 support staff. The Group Soups, the HOD and 1 IT staffer. It was great to sit with a few of The Brethren and chat again. But, the place felt mostly empty. Remote work is the new reality, I think. The development of those relationships for new judges won't be made easier by remote work. But, it does make those relationships even more indispensable. 
