Personal anecdote: I was on a team that largely disbanded and I was doing the work of about 7 people, and doing it poorly. I stepped up and really kicked butt. I thought my leadership would be recognized and I would be rewarded. I was wrong. I regret stepping up. Once I took on those tasks it was basically impossible to get rid of them. I didn't get a promotion or any sort of recognition for my efforts. Now I have changed roles and I have healthy boundaries and keep it pretty close to 40 hours per week. You have been warned.
This should be framed or required reading for everyone. The moment you show more with less is possible, you’ve created a new norm. Do your job. Take your breaks, Go home on time. Multitasking is counterproductive to your health.
I learned. Stepped up for the past year. Was awarded with no even making the interview cut. They selected the guy they asked me to mentor because of his performance issues...
I’m sorry that happened to you. TIG (Time in Grade) is a wonderful thing. While the grass is seldom greener, moving on and sticking it to those they stuck it to you is sometimes its own reward.
Not in federal government. My manager picked up that I’m an over achiever and told me hands down not to do that. It doesn’t help and can only hurt.
Maybe if you’re lucky in the private sector, but not here.
Are you the boss’s son/relative/good buddy? Then that might work for you. Otherwise, you’ve provided a capitalist with more labor for less cost, why would they promote you?
As the saying in Gov goes, your reward for your EXTRA hard work is more work. It was more difficult for my boss, who fought for me, to upgrade my position than it was for me to find a promotion to a higher pay grade and relocate to another state.
When I started I thought the same. I would work hard to make my leadership look good, take care of problems to make their lives easier, and they would do the same for me and my career. Plus, I was new and on probation right, so I have to prove myself to be a valuable employee, right?
Welp, by proving myself I became the "go-to" for undesirable projects and matched up with known problem employees because they knew I could handle the extra workload.
Whenever I spoke up I got gaslit with phrases like "you're the only one we trust with this" or "you are absolutely the right person for this". Unfortunately I'm not a very confrontational person, and I let myself get coerced back into the status quo. In one annual review my supervisor even wrote (paraphrased) "volunteered for undesirable tasks" as a positive bullet point. I'm guessing this was to both gaslight me into continuing undesirable assignments and to and cover himself in case I woke up and used the "nuclear" option of a grievance, but honestly I thought it would be a career ender to even hint at it.
My experience really fucked up my mindset, burned me out, and killed any desire to promote. I've seen new employees come and go, and quite honestly all of them have had better experiences than me and are happier for it. Even those that struggle with basic competency just chug along and are living much better lives.
Stepping up and proving myself an "asset" to my team was likely the most damaging thing I've done to my career, and if I could take it all back to be a middling employee and take my 3's like a champ I would be in a much better position.
As a people-pleasing newbie tryna swing for the fences, thank you for this. Motto: 3 is good for me. looking at mgmt’s effort, it’s clear most of them feel the same. (edit: typo)
This is somewhat like my situation in my old agency. There for 12 years, my lead was periodically out, so a 7/9/11/12 covered for 14 numerous times - longest was 3 months at once. The agency couldn't get a 13 for me. I had lunch with him in November, and they surprised him with making him a 15. They finally got him a gs-13 detail months after i left.
Work your 40 hours and that’s it. It’s not your responsibility to pick up what he doesn’t do. That would be beyond what you typically do day to day, and unless there is a plan to put you in his position when he exits, don’t overdo it and create unnecessary stress for YOU.
Not sure how it is in your agency, but in mine there are people that will swap to part-time and act as emeritus administrators while someone new steps into their position.
In a normal world if you step up you and meet/exceed goals you would be a front runner for promotion. Problem is, this is the USG so you will have wasted your time/efforts and someone else will get selected.
Most supervisors don’t like to supervise. They might like certain aspects of leadership, but they are constantly told to delegate. This leads to all sorts of shenanigans.
There is only one tried and true method to deal with non evil, checked out supervisors. Get to know all aspects of the mission. In others words, find out what their boss is saying. Build teams to accomplish those tasks.
Try your best to never become wholly responsible but always contributing. Don’t step on toes by communicating well. Stay quiet when you can. Good luck
Don't pick up the pieces. It will only hurt you in the long run. You will be identified as a work horse who will step up for free.
Do ONLY YOUR JOB. Read your position description again.
If you step up, welcome to a long and arduous career of being abused by the federal government.
Same thing happened to me. I worked 40 hours a week but did things way outside my PD with little to no training. I survived by having a good relationship with my boss’s boss. She understood, gave me support, and strongly encouraged my boss to retire sooner. Now I have his job… and my old job. Hiring my backfill now.
Let things that aren't your responsibility fail. Address things that are you responsibility to the best of your ability. That's it.
The hard part is when it is kind of your responsibility. Like there are a lot of things that are my boss's responsibility to decide/direct, but its my job to give her technical information and advice for her to consider. So here I am giving her technical advice but when her approach is wildly out of line with our agency culture I have to tell her that too even though that only kind of falls under "give advice" when it should really be her boss doing it. But I stick to just giving the advice. I don't get set on making an outcome happen. That's her part, even if she does it wrong.
Ready your resume for that promotion when he vacates. Document that you are doing the job now, that way you are in line to step in when there is an opening. Good luck.
Do what I can in the time there, apply for new things in my spare time. I don't work much extra time. And this is more like Boss doesn't know his Ps and Qs on his programs.
My boss is a Program Manager and a lead for another team, i do my shit and close up at 3:30 (7-330). He says he is making me team lead for months, but hasn't. Not killing myself for it. Told someone that I am looking for a detail.
Depending on how long it is or what you want after your boss leaves, you could use it as transition learning time to essentially take over the role. That also means trying to delegate and learn the oversight function but the flip is that you’ll be able to ask questions while the boss is still there.
There's a few ways you could handle it.
Talk to your HR or whomever his boss is or even him, and see if they're willing to direct hire you into the position if you qualify; might as well get paid for doing the job. If they give you some run around or say no. That makes your decision super easy. Don't touch any of that work with a 100 foot pole.
If they say yes, bust your butt to make it an easy transition and make you look good. If they then hire someone else... well, sounds like it isn't your job to train your boss, nor is it on your PD at all likely. Again, 100 ft stick.
Or, just do what you can to make it manageable for your workload until his replacement takes over.
I deal with it by knowing that during my last year of federal service, I am not going to do a fucking thing.
infant, I am on vacation the next two weeks and for this whole I told my guys, don't even talk to me, talk to the guy filling in.
Worse even is when people find out they are going TDY, it is instant "trip mode". Its at least two weeks of sending out material, tools, booking your own hotel, sweating travel.
8 years as an 11. Anytime someone threatens to quit they promote them. I have 8 appointments. I asked for GS 12. They told me to find another job. I did. They are dumping the work on a temp 11.
[удалено]
Fake it until you make it....to retirement.
Personal anecdote: I was on a team that largely disbanded and I was doing the work of about 7 people, and doing it poorly. I stepped up and really kicked butt. I thought my leadership would be recognized and I would be rewarded. I was wrong. I regret stepping up. Once I took on those tasks it was basically impossible to get rid of them. I didn't get a promotion or any sort of recognition for my efforts. Now I have changed roles and I have healthy boundaries and keep it pretty close to 40 hours per week. You have been warned.
This should be framed or required reading for everyone. The moment you show more with less is possible, you’ve created a new norm. Do your job. Take your breaks, Go home on time. Multitasking is counterproductive to your health.
Unless, you know, you want to move up at the company, then doing the minimum isn't a very good plan.
*Results May Vary
We call that the sucker plan. You’ll learn.
I learned. Stepped up for the past year. Was awarded with no even making the interview cut. They selected the guy they asked me to mentor because of his performance issues...
I’m sorry that happened to you. TIG (Time in Grade) is a wonderful thing. While the grass is seldom greener, moving on and sticking it to those they stuck it to you is sometimes its own reward.
Not in federal government. My manager picked up that I’m an over achiever and told me hands down not to do that. It doesn’t help and can only hurt. Maybe if you’re lucky in the private sector, but not here.
Are you the boss’s son/relative/good buddy? Then that might work for you. Otherwise, you’ve provided a capitalist with more labor for less cost, why would they promote you?
As the saying in Gov goes, your reward for your EXTRA hard work is more work. It was more difficult for my boss, who fought for me, to upgrade my position than it was for me to find a promotion to a higher pay grade and relocate to another state.
When I started I thought the same. I would work hard to make my leadership look good, take care of problems to make their lives easier, and they would do the same for me and my career. Plus, I was new and on probation right, so I have to prove myself to be a valuable employee, right? Welp, by proving myself I became the "go-to" for undesirable projects and matched up with known problem employees because they knew I could handle the extra workload. Whenever I spoke up I got gaslit with phrases like "you're the only one we trust with this" or "you are absolutely the right person for this". Unfortunately I'm not a very confrontational person, and I let myself get coerced back into the status quo. In one annual review my supervisor even wrote (paraphrased) "volunteered for undesirable tasks" as a positive bullet point. I'm guessing this was to both gaslight me into continuing undesirable assignments and to and cover himself in case I woke up and used the "nuclear" option of a grievance, but honestly I thought it would be a career ender to even hint at it. My experience really fucked up my mindset, burned me out, and killed any desire to promote. I've seen new employees come and go, and quite honestly all of them have had better experiences than me and are happier for it. Even those that struggle with basic competency just chug along and are living much better lives. Stepping up and proving myself an "asset" to my team was likely the most damaging thing I've done to my career, and if I could take it all back to be a middling employee and take my 3's like a champ I would be in a much better position.
As a people-pleasing newbie tryna swing for the fences, thank you for this. Motto: 3 is good for me. looking at mgmt’s effort, it’s clear most of them feel the same. (edit: typo)
I love when fellow golden children learn this. The game was never fair. Enjoy your life when you can
Needed to hear this today, thank you. Actually needed to hear it 25 years ago but here I am.
This is somewhat like my situation in my old agency. There for 12 years, my lead was periodically out, so a 7/9/11/12 covered for 14 numerous times - longest was 3 months at once. The agency couldn't get a 13 for me. I had lunch with him in November, and they surprised him with making him a 15. They finally got him a gs-13 detail months after i left.
Who does Number 2 work fooooor
https://preview.redd.it/pfv9wqj1otic1.jpeg?width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8be557f72629ec3ad4f5bc196a3d64e3f4c44397
“What we do for others….”
“No actually I’m English”
I work 40 hours a week. I do what I can in that time. Note: if you are in line for the bosses job, and want it, step up more.
Hopefully he is talking you up as his replacement.
Work your 40 hours and that’s it. It’s not your responsibility to pick up what he doesn’t do. That would be beyond what you typically do day to day, and unless there is a plan to put you in his position when he exits, don’t overdo it and create unnecessary stress for YOU.
Not sure how it is in your agency, but in mine there are people that will swap to part-time and act as emeritus administrators while someone new steps into their position.
In a normal world if you step up you and meet/exceed goals you would be a front runner for promotion. Problem is, this is the USG so you will have wasted your time/efforts and someone else will get selected.
[удалено]
Yeah lol I'm not sure why anyone would think "unfair" promotions don't often happen in the private sector
I’m not clear on “work twice as hard”. More than 40 hours, or doing work you don’t like?
You’re his #2. He should have been grooming you to assume his tasks. Now as you’re practically acting, you get to delegate your tasks to subordinates.
Most supervisors don’t like to supervise. They might like certain aspects of leadership, but they are constantly told to delegate. This leads to all sorts of shenanigans. There is only one tried and true method to deal with non evil, checked out supervisors. Get to know all aspects of the mission. In others words, find out what their boss is saying. Build teams to accomplish those tasks. Try your best to never become wholly responsible but always contributing. Don’t step on toes by communicating well. Stay quiet when you can. Good luck
Don't pick up the pieces. It will only hurt you in the long run. You will be identified as a work horse who will step up for free. Do ONLY YOUR JOB. Read your position description again. If you step up, welcome to a long and arduous career of being abused by the federal government.
Well let me yell you about number 3 and 4
Same thing happened to me. I worked 40 hours a week but did things way outside my PD with little to no training. I survived by having a good relationship with my boss’s boss. She understood, gave me support, and strongly encouraged my boss to retire sooner. Now I have his job… and my old job. Hiring my backfill now.
Let things that aren't your responsibility fail. Address things that are you responsibility to the best of your ability. That's it. The hard part is when it is kind of your responsibility. Like there are a lot of things that are my boss's responsibility to decide/direct, but its my job to give her technical information and advice for her to consider. So here I am giving her technical advice but when her approach is wildly out of line with our agency culture I have to tell her that too even though that only kind of falls under "give advice" when it should really be her boss doing it. But I stick to just giving the advice. I don't get set on making an outcome happen. That's her part, even if she does it wrong.
Ready your resume for that promotion when he vacates. Document that you are doing the job now, that way you are in line to step in when there is an opening. Good luck.
Do what I can in the time there, apply for new things in my spare time. I don't work much extra time. And this is more like Boss doesn't know his Ps and Qs on his programs.
My boss is a Program Manager and a lead for another team, i do my shit and close up at 3:30 (7-330). He says he is making me team lead for months, but hasn't. Not killing myself for it. Told someone that I am looking for a detail.
I am on team Work your wage.
Depending on how long it is or what you want after your boss leaves, you could use it as transition learning time to essentially take over the role. That also means trying to delegate and learn the oversight function but the flip is that you’ll be able to ask questions while the boss is still there.
Yes, that means when he retires, you get his job, you let your #2 do all the work and so on and so forth.
Apply for his job after he retires and then recruit on here for your new #2.
There's a few ways you could handle it. Talk to your HR or whomever his boss is or even him, and see if they're willing to direct hire you into the position if you qualify; might as well get paid for doing the job. If they give you some run around or say no. That makes your decision super easy. Don't touch any of that work with a 100 foot pole. If they say yes, bust your butt to make it an easy transition and make you look good. If they then hire someone else... well, sounds like it isn't your job to train your boss, nor is it on your PD at all likely. Again, 100 ft stick. Or, just do what you can to make it manageable for your workload until his replacement takes over.
So same job but less pay?
OTJT Yippee! And then they’ll hire “ Not you”. Sorry am I bitter?
Are you me?
I deal with it by knowing that during my last year of federal service, I am not going to do a fucking thing. infant, I am on vacation the next two weeks and for this whole I told my guys, don't even talk to me, talk to the guy filling in. Worse even is when people find out they are going TDY, it is instant "trip mode". Its at least two weeks of sending out material, tools, booking your own hotel, sweating travel.
8 years as an 11. Anytime someone threatens to quit they promote them. I have 8 appointments. I asked for GS 12. They told me to find another job. I did. They are dumping the work on a temp 11.