r/VHA_Human_Resources

I am curious if there is any National Park that has attempted to change pay grades to a higher grade recently? I have reached out to my supervisor for two years regarding this and have been told for two years that there are avenues to do this, and he agreed my grade should be moved up due to my current work. I am a GS9, my position used to be an 11. From my understanding the park basically got rid of one of my predecessors and moved the position to a 9 and has not moved it back to a 11. I'm in a building within Resource Management and I am the only branch lead that is not a 11. Every permanent employee that works in this building is a 11 except the chief and me.
I understand the change of administration has changed and halted a lot of hiring actions, but I know parks are hiring permanent positions again (or some). In the past I asked to do a desk audit and got help from my supervisor and was told he would look into doing it and help me but upon starting the process, I was told that "I couldn't do it and wouldn't be helped". I’ve recently brought it up again during my eval and got told “I can’t do anything about it now and I'm not going to push HR”. I really don't want to leave the Park service as I have over a decade here but at this point in my career staying at this pay grade isn't cutting it for me, especially at this job and work.

Just recently off orientation and non eligible for FMLA due to working less than 12 months. Anyone else have this? What should I anticipate for my leave? Anytime off?

Can someone please help me to understand what it means when the remarks on my LES say that I’ve exceeded my annual aggregate pay and that my on call pay is deferred?
Am I going to get paid eventually for the on call hours I’ve worked? When is it deferred to? And also how do they keep track? This is the second pay period in a row where I did not get paid for my on call time.

I’ve put in an HR ticket from last pay period to inquire but they have not responded to my ticket yet.

Hi all,

If you don’t return after 12 weeks of PPL you have to pay back FEHB that the agency paid for you. Do you know if they do a repayment plan with this or charge you all at once?

Thanks!

I think I am done. I’ve been trying to hang on. Literally looking to go work retail after working so hard for so long to get my non supe GS 14. I feel like I am in an abusive relationship. My supervisor clearly doesn’t like me, ever error turns into a conversation to ridicule and belittle me. I felt like I was alone but reading many post here on Reddit I see that I am not alone. I just don’t think I can take this any longer. Just venting because I know I am getting on my family’s nerves with this. Also seeing a therapist and psychiatrist just to try to hand in but I simply can’t do it anymore. Our Federal community here on Reddit has really helped me. I want to thank you all for that.♥️

*UPDATE - Thank you for all of your helpful responses. I really needed to hear all sides of the stories.

I was recently offered a GEMS Coordinator position. Some of you may know it as a Environmental Protection specialist at your facility. How safe is this job? I heard when they originally started making cuts last year this job was on the chopping block. Something happened and it was luckily saved. Should I be concerned stepping into this role? I am already a tenured federal service worker so no issue there. I am just worried I could become a displaced worker if this job does end up getting cut compared to a position I’m in now that I know is safer.

I know it sounds harsh because things shouldn't always be money, but the GS system simply takes out too much. I'm not going to reveal my salary, but if I worked on the outside, I would be getting 500 dollars more with each paycheck.

I know people might laugh and call me selfish or dumb, but in this economy, I could use that money towards a bunch of things.

Any advice ? Has anyone left ? What was your experience after leaving out of the government system ?

It's just hard cause I really enjoy my job

What are your thoughts on this video?

https://youtu.be/JaMD44Ts\_cE?si=fkex941buWaPKEEs

Let’s discuss.

Using a throwaway account.

I'm not a BUE, but I'm not high up in management either. My supervisor has been asking us to be on camera at meetings. Other people are doing it, but I don't like it. So I've been turning my camera on for meetings, putting a background up, but sliding the lens cover closed so I can't be seen. Anyone who doesn't come on camera seems to get asked to come on by leadership, and they all do it, but I haven't been.

My boss wants to talk to me about it again, because I'm not doing it. I don't feel safe with my leadership. I've been discriminated because my race, and other protected status and retaliated against. I don't want to be on camera. I am scared that they are going to try to write me up again for conduct.

What are my rights for refusing to be on camera? If they say I am refusing to follow an order, what can get me out of having to do this?

Has anyone gone trough disability retirement? How difficult was it?

Are supervisors supposed to be regulating bathroom breaks? Take for example CCC employees where metrics take in to account everything they do. Are supervisors allowed to tell you that you must utilize breaks and lunch time for personal time such as using the restroom? That if we must use the restroom out of those scheduled times we have to let them know, if adherence is not followed there can be disciplinary action because they are not following proper time management protocols. I'm quite sure that violates labor laws and is also very invasive.

I’ve been a federal employee for more than 13 years. Last year, I was impacted by a RIF at another agency and accepted an administrative position with the VA. At the time, I felt relieved to still be in the system and able to keep my tenure.

I had always wanted to work for the VA because I truly believe in its mission. Unfortunately, what I’ve experienced has been disappointing. The workload is overwhelming, the stress is constant, and my health has suffered because of it.

Now I’m trying to decide whether it’s time to move on. I have another job opportunity outside the federal government, and I keep reminding myself that leaving doesn’t necessarily mean I can never come back if things eventually improve.

I’ve also heard that my current position may be downgraded, which only adds to my uncertainty. At this point, I’m wondering if leaving would really be a mistake.

Anyone have any advice?

Can we all agree to RIF everyone who "reply all" on these emails.... or can we do one where instead of a phishing campaign we force these people to take remedial training. 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

Have an issue where Employee Card shows a career ladder. Have time in grade, have the performance reviews, and don’t have the promotion. I am aware that this isn’t automatic, and supervisor is supposed to submit it. But she hasn’t because she is being told that my position is not a career ladder. Meaning there is an error on my service card? Or there is an error with the way the position is coded? I am telling you that no one would fill this position with no career ladder opportunity. I am leaving VA or transferring but I am curious…the hell is this? Anyways all of my HR was messed up when onboarded to VA and was given so much crap fixing it…then it was fixed…like 8 months after me showing them the law and the issue again and again. Makes all of VA HR look incompetent