Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Half a loaf

The meeting went better than expected and I was extended until the end of August in 07. This extension of time will carry me to the GS-11 Category and place me in a grouping with attorneys, PHD or experienced hands. The odds of a hire at the GS-11 level are much improved. Sadly there is a National hiring freeze and there are no jobs to compette for. The old school was that those who passed the writing test were assured of a job. This is the first time there are mre candidates than jobs.

The news was even worse for sme of the clerks and information officers. Ten people in my office will be let go on the end of January. In the meantime I will be saving my hours for a whoping severance in August. I should depart with a 6200 dollar severance check and be well positioned when jobs open again.

I feel sad for the clerks who work hard and make almost no money. The competition for those jobs are much fiercer than mine. Most of them have no hope of returning and their story ends on January 30.

I am still in VT until the end of August.

14 comments:

The Merry Widow said...

A little breathing space. Congratulations, and I hope you continue to impress the higher ups!

tmw

Warren said...

Hang in there buddy. Next August is a world away.

nanc said...

grand news, beak!

still - i think you would have loved the fried chicken restaurants in arkansas...

beakerkin said...

I honestly feel for thse clerks. They made no money and have no shot of returning. I will be a
GS-11 and be competing with Lawyers and PHD's and people who have done the job. I could end up back when the smoke clears.

This is a sad day for many people I laughed with and shared a breakfast or two with.

beakerkin said...

Kuhn Kat

It is exactly like being put on the rack. You bust your hump with an axe over your head and a week before the end comes there is a stay of execution. You work for four months and before your head gets chopped you they extend you for eight months. Sooner or later the axe comes calling and you plan for it.

The hiring freeze keeps everyone in place. Thse working can gain levels as I will be competing at Lawyer and PHD level. Those on the outside trying to get in have it worse. There is an army of 12's available and they are supossed to be hired first.

It is a dreadful way to live.

FLORIAN said...

I'm sorry I've been out of the loop for awhile Beak. What happened? Seems like you got a fair shake though. I'll be praying for you (like I always do) and you'll see everything will work out all right.

beakerkin said...

Florian

Ideally people like myself aim to get a permanent slot except that there is a hiring freeze. So I am god until the end of August and it looks bad at that point. There is a hiring freeze so we can't even fill jobs via attrition. I will leave with the highest rating that a civilian can hold as an attorney or PHD. Only those who have done the job rate higher. I am willing to move around but this head in the block bit is rough on the nerves. I have been living out of a suitcase for months. Unlike the rest I saved my vacation pay and will be looking at around six weeks severance.

FLORIAN said...

Hang in there buddy. I'm sure something will come up soon. Hiring freezes are only temperorary and usually don't last as long as HR says they will.

beakerkin said...

Florian

Did you see hw upset John Brown got over the Superfly talk? I hate to laugh but Superfly John Brown the People's Drug Dealer is comedic.

I can see a sceene.

John Brown: Gertie either you sell your ass on the docks or you pull a job. I don't care but either way somebody is working.

Gertie: All right I will go to the docks because I am a man of inaction.

elmers brother said...

all right beak, way to go...and way to go G-d!

Always On Watch said...

Beak,
Good news for you! I'm sorry for those other folks, but glad to hear that you've received an extension. Prayers answered!

American Crusader said...

People don't understand just how hard it is working for the government. The money pales in comparison to what people earn in the private sector.... even at the GS 12 level.
You must really like the people you are working with and for.

Unknown said...

Keep at it, Beak, and best of luck to you!

Mad Zionist said...

Half a loaf is better than a pinched loaf.