u/MrBigPaulSmalls

I was wrongfully terminated from a federal agency after about 15 years of service. NTEU fought it through grievance and arbitration, and after roughly 1.5 years the agency admitted it was wrong and offered a settlement that included money and removal of the termination from my record.

Then the Executive Orders stripping NTEU bargaining rights hit. I was not part of the later RIFs, but the union changes directly affected my case. My arbitration stopped, the settlement disappeared, and my case got caught in the larger NTEU court fight.

It has now been nearly another 1.5 years, and the D.C. Circuit still has not issued a decision.

For anyone following the NTEU litigation, how does it look for the union at this point, and how much longer could this realistically drag out?

Also, if I apply for federal jobs again while the termination is still on my record, am I basically dead on arrival? I have been told agencies will usually choose a similarly qualified applicant with a clean record over someone with a termination. Is that generally true in practice?

Finally, I have about 15 years under FERS and worked my way from roughly GS 5 to GS 12. If I never return to federal service, what would that roughly translate to for a pension based on my high 3, and what age could I start collecting without taking a major reduction?

At this point I am trying to figure out whether I still have a realistic path back into federal service, what happens with the NTEU case, and what retirement benefit I still have left.

New armed guard here working retail security in a large Southern California city, and I’m trying to get a realistic read from people who have actually done this job.

The theft is constant. You go one direction because someone says a guy is stealing, then another person runs out the other way. On my first day, someone told me a guy with a large bag was stealing 2 aisles over. I started heading that way, then the loudspeaker called out security and the same clown ran out with a bunch of items.

The confusing part is the gap between policy and reality. They say don’t go into the parking lot, but they still want recoveries. They say you can’t search people, but store employees will tell you, “Go search his bag, I know he stole.” They say you need to actually see the theft, but staff sometimes act like their word alone should be enough. I get it, they work there every day and the store feels personal to them, but I’m the one carrying the legal risk if I do something wrong.

On top of that, one guard is supposed to somehow watch multiple doors and make judgment calls while everyone around you has a different version of what the job is. Corporate says no hands on unless absolutely necessary. Store staff want you to stop everything. The thieves know the rules better than most employees.

A guy in orientation quit after 4 days because he said it was too dangerous and not worth the legal drama. He mentioned multiple incidents, including one guy with a huge fixed blade knife on his belt who was holding it but never actually pulled it out.

For experienced retail security officers, how do you handle this in the real world? When do you engage, when do you let it walk, and how do you deal with store employees pushing you to do things that policy or the law clearly does not allow?

Any real stories or advice would help.

I just got picked up for armed/unarmed positions. I am needing suggestions on bullet proof vests where I've noticed the price tags are far beyond my budget at the moment being a single dad seeing used on offerup/craigslist at $1800 which is insane to me, especially being used. I dont want to skimp on the holster so I've got a safariland level 3 saved on amazon. I also need cuffs, baton, tazer, etc. Is Amazon decent to grab the items? Are their special codes i should know to put in the search for all the items I need, such as for handcuff material/density, etc

At the orientation, I spoke with the trainer and a few others on them. They recommended the soft bullet proof vests as the armor plates get hot/heavy. What are your thoughts on them and where am I able to obtain one for open carry positions. They recommended versions with pockets, etc.

I need something for now until things financially level out. Also, im 6'4 295lbs athletic build and I've noticed many larger guys wearing these tiny vests that sit above their ribs amd just slightly below the sternum and looks ridiculously small.

If im missing anything, list that too. I meed to order all this today so I can get working in the next few days.

To start, how do you handle doing interviews while working full time at a new job?

Obviously, a lot of people are applying to multiple jobs right now because the market is rough and most people are lucky to get anything.

My question is: how do you handle it if you accept a job, then another opportunity comes up shortly after?

I recently accepted a job that barely covers my bills, but it does have overtime. The problem is the hours are inconsistent right now, and many shifts are either very early or very late. As a single father with younger kids, that makes things difficult.

I also have another interview tomorrow. The pay may be lower based on the listing, but the hours might be better. I have also applied to actual career-level jobs in my field, but those hiring processes take forever, and there is no guarantee anything comes through.

So how do you balance survival with not burning bridges? Especially if someone gave you a reference or helped you get a shot, and then you end up leaving after only a month or 2 because a better fit comes along?

I want to handle this professionally, but I also have to eat, pay bills, and be realistic.

To start, how do you handle doing interviews while working full time at a new job?

Obviously, a lot of people are applying to multiple jobs right now because the market is rough and most people are lucky to get anything.

My question is: how do you handle it if you accept a job, then another opportunity comes up shortly after?

I recently accepted a job that barely covers my bills, but it does have overtime. The problem is the hours are inconsistent right now, and many shifts are either very early or very late. As a single father with younger kids, that makes things difficult.

I also have another interview tomorrow. The pay may be lower based on the listing, but the hours might be better. I have also applied to actual career-level jobs in my field, but those hiring processes take forever, and there is no guarantee anything comes through.

So how do you balance survival with not burning bridges? Especially if someone gave you a reference or helped you get a shot, and then you end up leaving after only a month or 2 because a better fit comes along?

I want to handle this professionally, but I also have to eat, pay bills, and be realistic.

Does anyone have experience with this company based in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, and Arizona? If so what was your experience or knowledge of them? I haven't heard much about City Wide Protection Services in terms of duty stations, work life balance, medical, etc.? We all know the issues with Allied Universal and all the complaints on social media with Allied. But I havent heard anything negative with CWPS.

When applying for new positions, how do you handle applications that require your current supervisor’s name and phone number?

I understand prospective employers want to verify your work ethic, but handing over that info creates a massive risk. If you apply to 20 or 30 jobs, having multiple companies call your current boss will damage your relationship and could easily get you penalized or fired. Hell, these days having ONE call will put HR and your supervisor on high alert to get rid of you as you create difficulties for them getting a new person to be hired.

On the flip side, checking "No, do not contact" often makes hiring managers assume the worst about your performance.

In a tough economy, trying to protect your current income while looking for better pay or management is just common sense. How do you navigate this catch-22 without raising red flags on either side?

When applying for new positions, how do you handle applications that require your current supervisor’s name and phone number?

I understand prospective employers want to verify your work ethic, but handing over that info creates a massive risk. If you apply to 20 or 30 jobs, having multiple companies call your current boss will damage your relationship and could easily get you penalized or fired. Hell, these days having ONE call will put HR and your supervisor on high alert to get rid of you as you create difficulties for them getting a new person to be hired.

On the flip side, checking "No, do not contact" often makes hiring managers assume the worst about your performance.

In a tough economy, trying to protect your current income while looking for better pay or management is just common sense. How do you navigate this catch-22 without raising red flags on either side?

When applying for new positions, how do you handle applications that require your current supervisor’s name and phone number?

I understand prospective employers want to verify your work ethic, but handing over that info creates a massive risk. If you apply to 20 or 30 jobs, having multiple companies call your current boss will damage your relationship and could easily get you penalized or fired. Hell, these days having ONE call will put HR and your supervisor on high alert to get rid of you as you create difficulties for them getting a new person to be hired.

On the flip side, checking "No, do not contact" often makes hiring managers assume the worst about your performance.

In a tough economy, trying to protect your current income while looking for better pay or management is just common sense. How do you navigate this catch-22 without raising red flags on either side?

When applying for new positions, how do you handle applications that require your current supervisor’s name and phone number?

I understand prospective employers want to verify your work ethic, but handing over that info creates a massive risk. If you apply to 20 or 30 jobs, having multiple companies call your current boss will damage your relationship and could easily get you penalized or fired. Hell, these days having ONE call will put HR and your supervisor on high alert to get rid of you as you create difficulties for them getting a new person to be hired.

On the flip side, checking "No, do not contact" often makes hiring managers assume the worst about your performance.

In a tough economy, trying to protect your current income while looking for better pay or management is just common sense. How do you navigate this catch-22 without raising red flags on either side?

Filling out a California state job application, standard template used for everything from park maintenance to law enforcement. Before you even get to qualifications, experience, or education, they hit you with a termination question. EVER been fired from ANY job in your life? Yes or No. Then explain yourself in 200 characters. After 15 years of federal service, awards, and commendations, this is the first thing they want to know. Not what you've done, not what you're qualified for. Just, were you ever fired? From anything. Ever. This isn't for a specific position either. Same form for every state job. My agency admitted wrongful termination and offered a settlement and to remove the termination from my record. Trump's Executive Order stripped union bargaining rights and stripped any movement from the unions. The Executive Order/Union fight has been in 3-year limbo, three judges have failed to issue a ruling after months of delays, and it's expected to reach the Supreme Court which could be years away. So, I currently have the termination stuck on my records. So now I check Yes and explain 15 years of decorated federal service in 200 characters. Is my application going to be an automatic trash bin candidate or what? Also, there are no asterisks for it and it actually allowed me to move forward without answering. Should I skip it and only bring it up if they do? For more sensitive positions it will come up in the background anyway. I am worried this is going to be the end for all the experience and knowledge I bring, all because of a pathetic new manager. Most applications ask if they can contact your supervisor, this one just takes a name and phone number with no option to restrict contact. The supervisor who terminated me isn't going to be honest. Can I list my hiring supervisor from years back instead as he retired long before and doesnt know any of the newer staff.