r/VHA_Human_Resources

I really wish people would understand asking for a desk audit as a VA/VHA employee is hurting everyone! If you feel like you’re doing more than your PD then STOP! You are making it harder for everyone else!!!! Just because you are doing things outside of your scope of functions does NOT entitle you to an upgrade. If you want more pay and more responsibilities then apply for the appropriate job, point blank period, but in this climate, please, please, please just STOP!!!!

Why are they piling everything on HR Assistants? Forcing people who are remote, who have a RA, who are military spouses back into office to make them glorified babysitters. To have to walk grown adults from point A to point B, further insulting HRAs by having them also collect urine as stated in the new PD, then also have to do vetpro. Soooo since when does vet pro NOT fall under the credentialing department? Do we not have a lab that collects urine, since when did that NOT fall under lab? And then also doing suitability work as well so basically they piss on HRAs forced them back into the office force them to do everyone else’s work but conveniently don’t pay them anymore. and most definitely will be the first person to get only a fully successful when evaluations come to into play 😞🥴

I just received a WRI to step 7. A QSI may be in the works to step 8. Is this possible being right on top of one another?

Recently got a job offer from the private sector that would be great for my professional development and a resume booster. My current job is pretty boring, does not allow for telework, like most everyone else, and there are no openings where I am for my profession, so there is nowhere to move. The private sector job offer will allow a bit of telework, shift start/end flexibility, but not as generous with the leave I currently get. I have 16 years in federal service and in my late 40’s. I’m thinking I’ll leave for the opportunity and come back eventually. Thoughts? Tips?

Hey everyone,

I just wanted to know if anyone could break down how edrp works. For example, does it only cover grad loans? I've received differing information from colleagues so I'm not sure what is right and what is wrong. Any help would be great!

Thank you!

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.

Put in my two week notice this week. Leaving the VA. How bad would it be to turn in everything after my tour today? I just can’t handle it mentally and I have severe anxiety about the assignment they put me on next week. I know it was on purpose.

Would I be burning a bridge with the Gov entirely? I’ve already filled out my clearance form and selected my separation date, which is two weeks away.

201s, I’m curious, what is it that’s keeping you with VA?

Yes, we’re all here for the mission or I hope so. For me, it was the post-SSR golden handcuffs. However, I’m getting bites on private sector HR roles with equivalent pay and greater flexibility. With that being said, I’m planning my out.

Does anyone see a light at the end of the tunnel?

l’m almost to 10yrs with VA, 6yrs military, and I have about 25 years until I can retire. I have a family to take care of, and for my own sanity I can’t see myself doing this decades from now with people-pleasing leadership. RTO is absurd being the only person from VHA in the building. I have a hard time staying motivated when my leadership doesn’t even show any. I want to go somewhere that wants to succeed and is forward thinking.

What’s keeping you going?

Context: soft offer in hand for VA to VA social work transfer and working towards FO. My WIGI due in 7 days. Gaining facility HR requested losing HR POC to coordinate my transfer but the timing concerns me. My soft was issued at a 2, which was accurate at that time but I’m due for a 3. I’m hoping the FO reflects the change to step 3. Will the WIGi still process after HR contacts my current HR or would that stop the action? My concern is that they do a personnel action that triggers the FO prior to my step increase, meaning that I’d be a 3 here but a 2 there. Anything I can or should be doing to try to protect this step increase? The new facility is on a special salary rate for SW if that matters here. Thanks!

What’s the difference between being an LIP social worker and a dependent social worker? I am an LIP now but offered a position (same grade &step) at a facility that doesn’t have LIP social workers. No one has really been able to explain the differences to me. But also- facilities can have no LIP social workers? That’s crazy.

Hello All - I recently lost my Uncle to a service-connected heart issue (Agent Orange) - my understanding was that I (a VA employee) could use two days of funeral leave for this as he was service connected? Is this accurate? If so, how could I request this?

So, I’m in a VISN that has this guy who’s an acting supervisor I think. All this guy talks about is golf and cars. He also takes leave all the time. He also had mentioned that he served in the infantry and seems to be pretty proud of that. Come to find out that he never served in the infantry (I have friends who know). He was a linguist! As a former infantryman myself, I find it insulting. He also claims he was hurt before deploying (hmm). Is that stolen valor or is he just an idiot?

On a side note he was supposed to be a Title 38 guru. When I asked him a question pertaining to hiring a physician (because I had to start doing them when they made the dumb idea to spread that around to everyone) he couldn’t answer the question.

Guy is a brash and pretty dumb person. Just venting.

today’s after hours email is about Bartrum straight up resigning. Very strange but timely given his last after hours email attacking LGBT during pride month. he literally compared himself to George Washington as well. Very strange

Have anyone heard about RTO if you live more than 50 miles from your closest VA?

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Hi everyone,

I’m a federal employee (VA) with about 2 years of service and I’m trying to understand how transfers to Puerto Rico work.

I’m currently in a GS position and I’m looking into moving to Puerto Rico (Aguadilla / Mayagüez area). I’ve seen some job listings in the Caribbean VA system, but I’m not sure how realistic a transfer is at my level of experience.

A few questions I have:

Is it possible to transfer internally to Puerto Rico with only 2 years in federal service?

Do most positions require applying as a new hire through USAJobs instead of a direct transfer?

How competitive are VA Caribbean positions (GS-5/6 level)?

Does time in service carry over normally if you transfer?

Any tips for getting selected for Puerto Rico locations?

I’m also open to going through USAJobs if that’s the only realistic path, just trying to understand the process better.

Thanks in advance to anyone who has gone through this.

Hit us up with that 59 for tomorrow!!

I transferred from the VA as a title 38 to DoD before finishing a 2 year probation at the VA. I finished the required 1 year probation with DoD. I am looking at transferring back to the VA (we are moving). Will I need to start the 2 year probation over again (if I am selected), or does it pick up where I left? There are no breaks in service.

VHA, clinical lab staff, 11 out of 13 allegations of harassment were found substantiated, including creating a hostile work environment and the sending of two explicit unsolicited photos. Does it sound like this would result in termination? They have been temporarily detailed, the fact finding was complete two weeks ago but no action seems to have been taken yet, everything is shrouded in mystery, any insight would be very appreciated!!!

So we are told that military spouses and spouses of 100% disabled no longer have RTO exemption if realigned to HR Navigator positions since those positions require the employee to be in office for the position.

Who else has seen this? They got screwed over with the STAR program not being promoted to HRS and this PD has them doing everything under the sun as a GS-7, including R&P for GS-7 positions and below. What does that mean for SSU HRS?