For others, telework will end in March and April, depending in whether employees live within 50 miles of an HHS building. Some exceptions listed. Legal status of union agreements unclear.
Yeah, they better. My spouse is a NOAA scientist (not resigning, thank you very much) and he is in a union (IFPTE) and can telework 3 days a week. He isn't going in more than that (probably less). They don't have enough office space. Anyway, I assume the unions will get it together but we have such bigger fish to fry with bunch of Nazis. Sigh.
My husband worked for 45 years in state and fed gov including US Fish and Wildlife and coordinating with NOAA, EPA, Forest Service, etc up to senior level. He just retired last year but still consults with them. We are hearing devastating stories. Many have left, been fired, had programs decimated, and they can no longer access their own Personnel files through the EOPF. That means they are laying them off and then not allowing them access to their files as they look for new jobs. Talk about a health issue...decimation of data, research, programs that protect our air, water, food, land,and address Climate Change. Entomologists and animal biologists important to infection disease research...gone. Trump is also selling gov buildings by the way.
The next layer formatting makes it impossible. I gave them only enough to narrow it down to the IHS (and I just went ahead and said it anyway, with permission). That's about as specific as it's getting with the formatting as exported.
Section 2g in the memo refers to the existing designations of disability under the Rehabilitation Act, which is the ADA predecessor for federal employees, funding, etc. HHS employees who have already been qualified under the RA for workplace accommodations and protection based on a qualifying condition (disability) are not subject to the memo (for now). It's not a new designation or layer of bureaucracy, in this case, just noting that this group is exempt.
This is good. DEI is generally thought to include persons with disabilities in addition to racial, ethnic, gender, income and other factors. I've been watching the DEI purge to see if/how it affects individuals with disabilities. On this very specific matter, I am pleased. Though very displeased about so much else. Just here to clarify.
This is also a huge DISABILITY RIGHTS issue (virtual work). We've been asking for this for years. (I've been disabled for 39 years and advocating for disability rights.) Only good thing to come out of COVID. I wish I heard more discussion on this substack, with healthcare workers, public officers, society in general about what's happening to our lives and supportive services. ADA is getting hit and never had a lot of teeth. Trump not offering translation services for hearing-impaired at press conferences, blaming people who are disabled without reference the day after the tragic plane crash over the Potomac, ALL even remotely DEI services going or impotent, cost of meds and durable equipment for mobility going up, approvals being rejected, help for caregivers impacted, and the list is going on. As Chair of my town's Disability Commission we are already seeing loss of grants/funds. And those who sit on these commissions, themselves are sick, disabled or taking care of someone who is. Even our state of MA promised to collect data and publish on people who are disabled during COVID. They did not. And we were not prioritized for first COVID vaxes. It is a very frightening reality for us.
Working with a union at my place of employment, it’s my understanding no one can just change anything as they see fit. Not even DT. Now, he may try. But in the end the unions always win. They get their attorneys and they go straight to work. All of this is absolutely ridiculous because it’s just waisted time, energy and money!
I want us to keep addressing the legal aspect of this from Congress to Unions, to orgs like Southern Poverty Law and ACLU, to individuals, but yes, sadly it is awfully late to do this. Our already over-worked justice system from bottom to top will have an even more never-ending full docket. I see no permanent solution. So the folks at the bottom with less power will have even longer waiting time to have their cases heard. And no meaningful legislation will be accomplished but that was already happening with the GOP Obstructionists. Our best hope is that it will invigorate all public officers and citizens to be inspired to resist this oligarchy and support our communities large and small. There will be much loss in process for a long time and it will take time to rebuild. But we all have a roll we can play even now.
This is also a huge DISABILITY RIGHTS issue. I wish I heard more discussion on this substack, with healthcare workers, public officers, society in general about what's happening to our lives and supportive services. ADA getting hit, Trump not offering translation services for hearing-impaired at press conferences, blaming people who are disabled without reference the day after the tragic plane crash over the Potomac, ALL even remotely DEI services gone or impotent, cost of meds and durable equipment for mobility going up, approvals being rejected, help for caregivers impacted, and the list is going on. As Chair of my town's Disability Commission we are already seeing loss of grants/funds. And those who sit on these commissions, themselves are sick, disabled or taking care of someone who is.
Re: just changing anything, no, it's not lawful. There are three laws that have not been followed and that are the basis of lawsuits, which have been successful thus far. I am really oversimplifying here, but:
• The Administrative Procedure Act requires that before taking a major action an administration must give notice, publish a detailed plan, and solicit feedback.
• Congress has the power of the purse. An administration cannot withhold appropriated funds (Impoundment Act, which requires consultation with appropriators) or spend funds that have not been appropriated (Antideficiency Act).
The unions will sue.
They better hurry.
Yeah, they better. My spouse is a NOAA scientist (not resigning, thank you very much) and he is in a union (IFPTE) and can telework 3 days a week. He isn't going in more than that (probably less). They don't have enough office space. Anyway, I assume the unions will get it together but we have such bigger fish to fry with bunch of Nazis. Sigh.
I think this may finally get the universities to wake up
My husband worked for 45 years in state and fed gov including US Fish and Wildlife and coordinating with NOAA, EPA, Forest Service, etc up to senior level. He just retired last year but still consults with them. We are hearing devastating stories. Many have left, been fired, had programs decimated, and they can no longer access their own Personnel files through the EOPF. That means they are laying them off and then not allowing them access to their files as they look for new jobs. Talk about a health issue...decimation of data, research, programs that protect our air, water, food, land,and address Climate Change. Entomologists and animal biologists important to infection disease research...gone. Trump is also selling gov buildings by the way.
And for the patients, seriously ill, chronically ill, and/or disabled we have no unions or professional orgs looking out for us.
Does scrubbing the metadata also remove the spacers they are inserting to be able to track who leaks what?
The next layer formatting makes it impossible. I gave them only enough to narrow it down to the IHS (and I just went ahead and said it anyway, with permission). That's about as specific as it's getting with the formatting as exported.
Section 2g in the memo refers to the existing designations of disability under the Rehabilitation Act, which is the ADA predecessor for federal employees, funding, etc. HHS employees who have already been qualified under the RA for workplace accommodations and protection based on a qualifying condition (disability) are not subject to the memo (for now). It's not a new designation or layer of bureaucracy, in this case, just noting that this group is exempt.
This is good. DEI is generally thought to include persons with disabilities in addition to racial, ethnic, gender, income and other factors. I've been watching the DEI purge to see if/how it affects individuals with disabilities. On this very specific matter, I am pleased. Though very displeased about so much else. Just here to clarify.
Yeah I noticed that and was wondering what the implication was. That's good to hear. Thank you for sharing your expertise!
This is also a huge DISABILITY RIGHTS issue (virtual work). We've been asking for this for years. (I've been disabled for 39 years and advocating for disability rights.) Only good thing to come out of COVID. I wish I heard more discussion on this substack, with healthcare workers, public officers, society in general about what's happening to our lives and supportive services. ADA is getting hit and never had a lot of teeth. Trump not offering translation services for hearing-impaired at press conferences, blaming people who are disabled without reference the day after the tragic plane crash over the Potomac, ALL even remotely DEI services going or impotent, cost of meds and durable equipment for mobility going up, approvals being rejected, help for caregivers impacted, and the list is going on. As Chair of my town's Disability Commission we are already seeing loss of grants/funds. And those who sit on these commissions, themselves are sick, disabled or taking care of someone who is. Even our state of MA promised to collect data and publish on people who are disabled during COVID. They did not. And we were not prioritized for first COVID vaxes. It is a very frightening reality for us.
Working with a union at my place of employment, it’s my understanding no one can just change anything as they see fit. Not even DT. Now, he may try. But in the end the unions always win. They get their attorneys and they go straight to work. All of this is absolutely ridiculous because it’s just waisted time, energy and money!
I want us to keep addressing the legal aspect of this from Congress to Unions, to orgs like Southern Poverty Law and ACLU, to individuals, but yes, sadly it is awfully late to do this. Our already over-worked justice system from bottom to top will have an even more never-ending full docket. I see no permanent solution. So the folks at the bottom with less power will have even longer waiting time to have their cases heard. And no meaningful legislation will be accomplished but that was already happening with the GOP Obstructionists. Our best hope is that it will invigorate all public officers and citizens to be inspired to resist this oligarchy and support our communities large and small. There will be much loss in process for a long time and it will take time to rebuild. But we all have a roll we can play even now.
This is also a huge DISABILITY RIGHTS issue. I wish I heard more discussion on this substack, with healthcare workers, public officers, society in general about what's happening to our lives and supportive services. ADA getting hit, Trump not offering translation services for hearing-impaired at press conferences, blaming people who are disabled without reference the day after the tragic plane crash over the Potomac, ALL even remotely DEI services gone or impotent, cost of meds and durable equipment for mobility going up, approvals being rejected, help for caregivers impacted, and the list is going on. As Chair of my town's Disability Commission we are already seeing loss of grants/funds. And those who sit on these commissions, themselves are sick, disabled or taking care of someone who is.
Re: just changing anything, no, it's not lawful. There are three laws that have not been followed and that are the basis of lawsuits, which have been successful thus far. I am really oversimplifying here, but:
• The Administrative Procedure Act requires that before taking a major action an administration must give notice, publish a detailed plan, and solicit feedback.
• Congress has the power of the purse. An administration cannot withhold appropriated funds (Impoundment Act, which requires consultation with appropriators) or spend funds that have not been appropriated (Antideficiency Act).