Allowing SSA to contact current supervisor

[ALJD]

Well, a new poster who was more paranoid than usually sent me the following private message and asked me to post it. Since it poses an interesting question, I'm honoring his/her wish and reposting it here for comments:

"The management at my government office (federal) considers it treasonous for an employee to apply for another job.
If I ask SSA not to contact my current supervisor, will I suffer adverse consequences? Will SSA think I am hiding something?

Also, please note that the "personal history" form that SSA sent with the recent notification contains a typo. It has "Last name__ Last name___" It should read "Last Name___ First Name___"

[jagghagg]

You're kidding, right ? There is actually a level of paranoia that has been exceeded ?

_____________

Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, "Where have I gone wrong?" Then a voice says to me, "This is going to take more than one night."
Charlie Brown in "Peanuts"
--Charles M. Schultz (1922 - 2000)

[karaj]

I know there are only certain things they can ask your management legally. But for some of us, especially those who work for SSA, the paranoia is justifiable because you know phone calls will probably be made to your HOD/HOCALJ.. and if they don't like you..? Or don't want you to move up?

You could send the HOD/HOCALJ/manager a note reminding them of your accomplishments, informing them that they may be contacted, and asking that if there is any problem with a commendation, that they discuss it with you first or that they recuse themselves.

[oldjag]

I would carefully spell out the reason that you would prefer not to have a supervisor contacted--then I would contact my agency IG. Such an attitude is destructive. If your score is high and you want to go anywhere the gamble might be worth the treason charge--your choice.

The info the SSA needs can come from other sources.

Good Luck. With die respect for Patriot Fan, I REALLY mean good luck--I already have the job--lol ;D

[tyrionc]

I had a similar issue last year, my employer was unaware I was pursuing the ALJ opportunity and I preferred to keep it that way. the contractor doing the background check for SSA was satisfied with the name of an employee who I trusted and was not my supervisor who could verify I worked there.

[karaj]

Tyrionc, just curious, did you get an offer ?? i.e., were you successful?..Oldjag, just for the rest of us in this situation, can you contact the IG on just a suspicion that your management is hostile.. how do you prove it? Please elaborate..

[nonamouse]

Mar 19, 2009 12:33:05 GMT -5 karaj said:

I know there are only certain things they can ask your management legally. But for some of us, especially those who work for SSA, the paranoia is justifiable because you know phone calls will probably be made to your HOD/HOCALJ.. and if they don't like you..? Or don't want you to move up?

Not "probably," change that to simply "will call" your HOCALJ. If said person is a nasty, jerk you can be sure that their rep is already known within the agency and their comments will be weighed accordingly.

What many people do not seem to realize is what a "small world" we are operating in despite the seemingly large number of offices and ALJs. It reminds me of 6 degrees of separation minus 3. I think that I can get to anyone in ODAR within 3 or occasionally 4 because of transfers, training classes, working on training cadres or special projects with people, etc. If someone has been around for 15+ years, they can probably do it in 2 or 3.

[judo]

Greetings,

ALL INTERESTED APPLICANTS WITH THE JITTERS ABOUT WHAT SOMEONE POTENTIALLY "HOSTILE" MIGHT SAY ABOUT YOU - I have the same jitters, I believe nonamouse is correct when she says "will call" and I have decided to put that issue in God's Hands because there are just some things that we cannot take control of but God can. I listed everything my real supervisor etc., etc., etc. I called the Honorables Honorable, the Misses Ms. the Misters Mr. whether they really are or not : ) and then said a prayer before faxing the forms and will continue to send those prayers up as I always have throughout life and who can count the countless times GOD CAME THROUGH!

CONSIDER THIS!

[Legal Beagle]

Great post Judo, and welcome to the board.

I have put the issue of where will I get an offer (if I get one) out of my worried mind by doing the exact thing! In six months or a year, I will be where He wants me to be, and will accept that decision.

There is so much about this process that we do not understand or have any control over, and as professionals, we have to believe we will do our best, whereever we are meant to be!

[noah]

We would be Blessed to have more judges with the mindset of Judo. I will pray for your success in this process Judo.

Ps.111
[10] The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.

[ldtajesq]

Amen, Judo! One's mindset on God I believe is how I managed to get into law school when they told me I wasn't smart enough (then remain in the top third of my class), graduate from law school, pass the bar in two states, become an associate attorney at a large law firm, get hired as an administrative judge, manage to get my ALJ application in in time, make the initial cut, find this discussion board, find the money to travel to DC twice in three weeks, take the WD and SI, receive a decent score, land on the registry, and now make the cert. Legal Beagle is right, God is and remains in control. I must put my faith and trust in Him and He shall direct my path! Thanks for the inspiration!

[karaj]

Thanks Judo and Idtaesq, for bringing God to this Board..it's all in His hands..

[noah]

Rev.3
[7] "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: `The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one shall shut, who shuts and no one opens.
[8] "`I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut; I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

[judo]

Thanks noah and God Bless us all!