8 upvotes, 4 direct replies (showing 4)
View submission: Men Over 30 Community: WEEKLY CHECK-IN 2025-03-12
Fuck it. I'll bite and shout out into the void.
I took a job at a previously well-regarded agency in the US federal government on January 13. I am probationary. My agency managed to protect its probies, but has already started firing people as a Reduction in Force (RIF) measure, well in advance of even submitting a plan to the government as required. The budget of the agency is going to be critically slashed.
Without any of that other bullshit, this would have been my dream job. It is the perfect combination of all my previous work history and education. All the parts of those things I liked, and almost none of the things I hated. It took me nearly 20 years of effort to get here.
So how am I doing? I'm stressed. I'm overwhelmed. I'm disgusted with just about every level of "leadership" involved. I'm considering just quitting so I don't have to live in this constant state of anxiety. And I am lucky enough to be able to afford to do that, perhaps indefinitely if need be. I know that is not the case for everyone, so I am also feeling slightly guilty about that. Or it looks like I can right now, at least. Who knows, there's a lot of uncertainty out there for the future.
But hey, I still have my health, anxiety aside. I have my family. By some miracle, I still somehow only have the one grey hair in my beard that showed up in November.
Comment by knowitallz at 13/03/2025 at 01:12 UTC
2 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Just treat it like you don't have the job anymore. It will help you resolve it. Let go earlier than this anxiety on the outcome.
Mourn it now. If for some fucking reason you get it and keep it then you can count your good luck.
Comment by desertsail912 at 12/03/2025 at 19:52 UTC
4 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Sorry man, I'm a fed too and while thankfully I wasn't probationary, there's no telling if my position will survive the RIF. I literally just signed on a house as well, so yeah, stress here too. I will say this, though, try to keep heart, there are a number of law suits coming from the fired probies and there's a good chance that will stop the RIF in it's tracks too. And a true RIF takes months, to try to do them quicker would actually be breaking federal law (not that these nutjobs know what federal law is). So, take a deep breath and don't let the bastards get you down!
Comment by TheOtherwise_Flow at 12/03/2025 at 18:46 UTC
4 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Im so sorry you have to go through that bullshit. Don’t quit tho best way to have a chance to get your job back is if you’re let go by the cuts, if they get told to rehire you will be on that list.
Comment by it4brown at 12/03/2025 at 18:46 UTC
5 upvotes, 0 direct replies
I hope you get some much-needed stability and straight answers sooner than later. I can only imagine the stress of the surrounding situation on you and your family.