What else might I do?

I’m a WG2 FSW. I’m 7 months in and not loving it. When I was hired I didn’t realize I was being hired to be a dishwasher because the job description mentioned a lot of other responsibilities - but apparently it’s a blanket description that covers all the FSW wage grades. I thought I’d be doing more than I do.

I took the job just so I could get in, hoping to eventually move elsewhere within the VA. I am in my 50s and have experience in a number of different fields, but this is my first job in a healthcare facility. I have three degrees; two bachelors and a masters. One of my undergraduate degrees is a BFA in graphic design. I more or less gave up the ghost on my design career a few years ago because my area of specialty (print design) was dying rapidly, and then what was left of my career has since been killed by AI. But still, I cringe daily at the myriad issues at my facility like misspelled directories, terrible typography and layout on the literature (our handbook is written in comic sans with clip art and looks like it was created in MS Paint, lol), signage at such low resolution you could drive a truck through the pixels, etc. But as far as I know there are no designers on staff (obviously). My other undergraduate degree is in English and my graduate degree is an MS in Creative Problem Solving and Change Leadership.

So what else is there?

I’m also not entirely clear on the eligibility rules. I’m in my first year probationary period so as far as I understand I’m sorta stuck where I am until that’s up, correct? After my one year is up, can I move to a different agency altogether? I see a lot of requirements regarding “time in grade” but how does that work if I’m applying for a completely different position?

I see so many people complaining about unqualified managers and idiot coworkers, so if those folks can be employed, surely I qualify for *something* beyond scraping puréed pork chops off plates and dodging cockroaches the size of mice.

Please advise.

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u/Komodo_Draggin_Ass — 3 days ago

What is wrong with my wrists?!

Both my wrists have these puffy fat pads. I believe they first appeared about 25 years ago after being on steroids for a respiratory illness. I was overweight and they seemed to go away after I lost weight, but then they came back again after another course of steroids for an asthma exacerbation.

They don’t hurt, but they look crazy. People are always like, “what happened?” I just tell them it’s funky steroid fat, but is it? I have never seen anyone else with this condition, and endless research has turned up nothing.

If it is just fat, could I have it treated with laser lipo? I am so self conscious!!

F, mid-50s, average height/weight, former smoker (quit 18 years ago), non drinker.

u/Komodo_Draggin_Ass — 12 days ago

Calling out for personal emergency?

ETA: I don’t have a lot of sick leave at the moment because I was hospitalized recently, and need to save what I have toward some medical tests coming up later this summer.

I am supposed to work later in the day but I woke up to a flooded basement and waterlogged stuff. It’s going to take me all day to clean this up, plus I need to get someone in here to look at it and who knows what time that will happen. Can I call out and use annual leave time? Would this be an approved absence?

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u/Komodo_Draggin_Ass — 13 days ago

Sally. Respectfully, Ma’am, W.T.F.

This is a daily thing, but the addition of matcha protein cold foam is new as of today.

First of all, what the fck?
Second of all, I want to know what Miss Sally does for a living that she can afford this shit 7 days a week. Like, who has that kind of disposable income?
Third, what the fck?

u/Komodo_Draggin_Ass — 15 days ago

FFS

So this is annoying to make in the first place, but then because it was a personal cup mobile order basically I had to partially build this in the beaker thingie, then when she came in I finished building it in her cup.

I’m so fcking tired of this lunacy.

u/Komodo_Draggin_Ass — 17 days ago

The F’n Fk, Sarah?

First of all, people who order tall drinks with so many modifiers that the sticker barely fits on the cup are a major peeve. This, however, was a challenge to fit IN the cup. But ok.

u/Komodo_Draggin_Ass — 22 days ago