Today’s episode of "Things didn’t work out the way I thought they would"

[hmrambling]

I’ve got my retirement folder ready for HR. They can start the process six months out, and I’m officially six months and nine days from the finish line. I really thought this last stretch would be predictable. I expected steady work, no surprises, and a calm glide path for the remainder of my time in the office and in the field.

Instead, we just learned that our director is leaving. Not fired however she’s stepping away for her own mental health after years of standing up for us and getting flattened for her trouble. With her gone, it’s pretty clear the higher‑ups will appoint someone more aligned with their agenda, which means a bumpy ride for the team. In fact, I just got notice of a mandatory meeting with the department Secretary as I'm typing this.

At this point, I’m not looking for another job with only six months left, but I’m also not planning to deal with BS. I’ve got two years of leave, and I suspect I’ll be using more of it than I originally planned.

Leaving management in 2022 was the best gift I ever gave myself. These days I keep my head down, do what’s asked, go above and beyond when I choose to, and enjoy a supervisor who doesn’t make my life harder. Most days I’m insulated from the shenanigans but that is certain to change. I didn’t see this twist coming*, but I guess I’m ready for whatever the next six months bring.

* We all knew something was brewing when the governing department started handing down expectations no one could realistically meet. Now the picture is a little clearer.

 

[Jerry1]

Think of Office Space and just do what you’re willing to do. No need at this late in your career to put up with any bs. I hope by now you’re financially independent and recognize the value of e’ff you money. This is the time in your life when it comes into play. Maintain your professional dignity and standards but don’t got out of your way to do more than a reasonable days work. Ride this out and slide into retirement. You’ll be fine. You might end up retiring a bit early, if you can do so without losing a bunch of money or future benefits like retiree healthcare, but you’ll be alright.

 

[frayne]

Don't do anything to jeopardize your retirement, play the game and finish strong, you can do six months standing on your head.

 

[Aerides]

Just be chill. It's sixth months. If your new boss is a battle axe, just smile, and leave at 5 each day, and keep to your current plan. Heck maybe they will take a while to replace her..
Win?

 

[OldShooter]

Do not kick today that which you may have to kiss tomorrow. Good luck!

 

[Mr. Tightwad]

If it were me I would show up for 6 months not caring about any of evil managements concerns. As long as you're sure you're nearly out the door, you're the employee management hates: one who has nothing to lose and has no motivation to jump when they say jump. I'd smile at everyone, be chipper and friendly, and let nothing they say/do/think bother me in the slightest.

 

[Koolau]

Some very good advice so far. You CAN do almost anything for 6 months! Time will pass quickly. Check in here often and let us know how it's going. We'll be glad to "cheer you up" if you need it.

All the best!

 

[Dtail]

Just toe the line for 6 months and perform generically without stressing yourself.

 

[hmrambling]

As long as you're sure you're nearly out the door, you're the employee management hates: one who has nothing to lose and has no motivation to jump when they say jump.

I previously posted that I was concerned that HR would go ahead and tell management when I submitted my paperwork. Now I'm pretty sure I'm comfortable with them doing so.

Our HR literature requests we start the process six months out (giving HR plenty of time to process the retirement) but now I'm sure I'm okay with however it trickles out

I've already kept my head down up until now. I'm pretty sure I'll be fine for the remaining six months.

 

[pacergal]

You have two years of leave saved up?
Can you simply request a payout and leave earlier or are you needing to stay to a specific date for pension , etc?

 

[hmrambling]

You have two years of leave saved up?
Can you simply request a payout and leave earlier or are you needing to stay to a specific date for pension , etc?

On 1/2/27, I will have 30 years and my check will be 75% of my FAC. My leave cannot be applied to the 30 years of service. Should I leave state service prior to 1/2/27, my pension will be actuarily reduced. I intended to roll my two years of leave over into my pension.

Yup, can't use it to make the 30 years of service but can use it to increase retirement.

 

[Just_Steve]

Wait, you are in state service and worried who the new boss is?
As a former state employee that would not matter to me, ever.

 

[hmrambling]

Wait, you are in state service and worried who the new boss is?
As a former state employee that would not matter to me, ever.

The Secretary over the Department is serving as our Director. In today's meeting, I noted seven variations of him saying our bureau is underperforming. All of his instructions and recommendations reveal that he has no knowledge of the laws and regulations that govern us. It already looks less like managing and more like bullying and we have no idea how long he'll serve as our director.

 

[Walt34]

With the right attitude, the next six months could be rather entertaining if you can place yourself mentally "outside the fray" and just watch the fireworks.

 

[Time2]

I noted seven variations of him saying our bureau is underperforming. All of his instructions and recommendations reveal that he has no knowledge of the laws and regulations that govern us.

A nice AI write up of the variations violating the laws and regulations, anonymously presented, may cause some tiptoeing by the new director for at least a few months.

 

[ArmchairMillionaire]

On 1/2/27, I will have 30 years and my check will be 75% of my FAC. My leave cannot be applied to the 30 years of service. Should I leave state service prior to 1/2/27, my pension will be actuarily reduced. I intended to roll my two years of leave over into my pension.

If the new manager is as 'more aligned with their agenda' as you wrote, I'd be worried they'd find a way to 'remove you from state service prior to 1/2/27'. I was two years from my (early) retirement when I was un-ceremonially walked out the door by Megacorp back in 2022.

It all worked out in the end, as I was able to find a more laid-back, more local, small business where I could finish out my final three years. I felt much more appreciated while I was there and they gave me a nice little retirement lunch with pizza, cake, and gifts, which is more than I would have gotten had I retired from Megacorp.

 

[Texas Proud]

I am with everybody that 6 months to smile and do whatever is easy....

Heck, with all the leave you have I would probably schedule every Monday and Friday off... and throw in a few Wednesdays along the way...

 

[skyking1]

^ That increases your personal BS capacity greatly.

 

[Joseph]

Do enough not to upset the apple cart. In prison terms, you are a short timer. Let all the B S roll off you. As long as you don’t mess up, you will get your pension time.

 

[RetiredHappy]

I thought with government jobs, it is almost impossible to get fired. Just hang in there for the next few months.

 

[Mr. Tightwad]

I thought with government jobs, it is almost impossible to get fired.

That's how it was during my 27 year govt career.

 

[Texas Proud]

I thought with government jobs, it is almost impossible to get fired. Just hang in there for the next few months.

There are a lot of federal employees that would disagree with you...

And some here in Houston... my friend decided to take a small package that had him retire 6 months earlier than he wanted since if they did not get enough to choose that they were going to reduce employment...

Still probably harder than a company, but not anywhere near as hard as some countries in Europe... I dealt with a France company and was told it took 6 years to lay off a guy who refused to come to work...

 

[hmrambling]

A nice AI write up of the variations violating the laws and regulations, anonymously presented, may cause some tiptoeing by the new director for at least a few months.

After his request for questions and feedback, I've anonymously submitted a series of questions about how similar ingenious ideas can be implemented in throughout our agency. The ideas are so similar that they're spin-offs of his suggestions. Of course, the correct answers to my questions is, "by regulation, none of these ideas can be implemented." I can't wait to see what answer we get is, though. Yes, they've already called another meeting. Yes, I'm trolling them them. No, I don't think the submission form was really anonymous. And yes, I submitted my retirement paperwork along with my resignation (which he will have to sign off on) this week.