Ughhhh, really? So now my agency is saying SI, super intelligence, instead of the actual real term AI. So stupid. That’s all, just had to bitch somewhere about this.

News is circulating throughout the agency that the next phase has 600 people on the list. People on other forums have posted the letter that they received from HR. The agency is becoming a $hit$how with job satisfaction going down the toilet and turning into a MAGA-fied-Bessent appendage thanks to the head honcho. While all other finregs have reached stabilization, this place just keeps on adding gasoline to the dumpster fire.

For those of you who may not have seen, GEHA kept the ‘26 plan premium and deductible for HDHP (and several other plans) frozen for 2027. Feels good to get an actual win after all the beatdowns we’ve been receiving.

Submitted an RA for telework months ago. Agency just emailed my direct supervisor saying their medical expert agrees that commuting is dangerous for me, but that I should move closer to the office or somewhere with public transit.

In this email to my supervisor, the agency included medical details like my diagnosis and the severity in specific body parts. My understanding was that the agency could only disclose my functional limitations as they relate to my job duties, not the actual diagnosis and medical details. Is that correct? If so, does anyone think filing an EEO complaint will actually do anything?

In addition... Is anyone aware of any pushback on the new policy to deny telework for commuting limitations? Have there been any lawsuits yet?

"The Department of Veterans Affairs is once again pushing forward with sunsetting its collective bargaining agreement with the American Federation of Government Employees.

VA officials on Oct. 8 revised agency guidance on collective bargaining to state that the AFGE national agreement “no longer applies” for most bargaining unit employees, according to internal documents viewed by Federal News Network.

The update from VA comes after a federal appeals court on Oct. 2 granted VA’s request to stay an order that had been upholding the contract with AFGE. The collective bargaining agreement with AFGE’s National VA Council covers more than 320,000 VA employees."

DOL just announced they will implement “recertification procedures” to review all previously approved reasonable accommodations. Employees will be asked to provide updated medical information. Curious if this has been happening at other agencies and what experiences people have had.

I’m also wondering what legal authority they are using for this (they didn’t cite any).

Has anyone experienced their manager blocking their promotion or from getting another job at another unit? I feel like I am going through this and have heard rumors that they do this type of shenanigans.

question says it all. i am a retiree and i sent in my signed letter in July to reduce my FEGLI and have heard nothing since. i called last week and they were going to “open my file” and i should see something in my portal, but im not seeing anything. currently on hood but ill probably get answers here before they ever pick up the phone!

I’m considering switching from MHBP Standard to Samaba Standard. Does anyone have experience with Samaba and out-of-network mental health coverage? I see an out-of-network therapist weekly; MHBP covered 70% of the allowed amount. Samaba covers 55% of the allowed amount, but apparently they use a different formula, which may result in a similar amount that MHBP covers. I would appreciate some feedback.

Yesterday I received an approved prior authorization for orthopedic surgery. I have MHBP Consumer. I was supposed to have this surgery back in September but they initially denied it and I had to go through an appeals process. Due to the delay, it’s very possible that the surgery may need to occur in early 2027, after the Consumer Option terminates. If I remain with MHBP and am automatically enrolled in another MHBP option for 2027, will the existing authorization remain valid or need to be reissued? Does anyone have experience or something similar when switching plans that are administered by the same carrier?

I recently got a pre-screening interview call for a DOE fellowship I have applied to and I believe it went well. Interviewer mentioned next step may be a call with the management and cannot tell a timeline. I’m so excited for the opportunity and waiting to hear back from them and it’s been more than two weeks now. Is it normal? Any insights on the interview process and timeline?

Just looking for guidance on how to resign on my 5 year anniversary when it falls on a weekend in the middle of a pay period. Going back to school on my GI bill and spring semester starts a week before my 5 year. I’ll only have enough annual leave to last me that full week. Can you use some sick leave at the end after you put in your notice? Sorry not trying to ask at work yet. Any insight or tips would be greatly appreciated.

I’ve been considering a position with the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) and wanted to get some firsthand perspectives on the current
For current or former EOIR employees, what’s the atmosphere like right now?
How is overall employee morale?
What’s management and leadership like?
Are workloads becoming unreasonable?
Is there significant employee turnover or burnout?
Are employees generally satisfied, or are many looking to leave?
Has the work environment changed significantly over the past year ?
I’d appreciate candid feedback from anyone with direct experience. Thanks!

Throwing this out there for anyone interested. I'm with MHBP Standard (Aetna), and I was thinking of switching because of the significant increase in cost for 2027. She thinks Aetna is "ok" but maybe not as good as BCBS, which she uses for her own health insurance. She said to stay the heck away from both Kaiser and United plans because they are cheaper for a reason. They deny coverage too often. Kaiser won't cover you much outside of your geographical region. She would never want to work for Kaiser. I know from experience that customer service with GEHA can be lacking, especially for out-of-network claims. Her bottom line was that you truly do get what you pay for in this life. She advised me to cut back my expenses elsewhere, but not in healthcare because it's too important. We have known each other since the 1990s, and she really cares about me.

What are your thoughts on my doctor friend's advice?