A new kind of ‘Cold’ War — with you on the frontline
Have you resolved to brain the next person who says "Is it cold enough for you?" Senior Correspondent Mike Causey wants to know: How are you holding up during o...
So how is the new cold war — the one with real snow and record cold — impacting your day-to-day work life? Do you find yourself glued to the weather news, looking for stay-home or delayed-arrival texts as the Artic Vortex intrudes and hangs on?
Here’s what some of your colleagues are saying about the new normal:
“Mike, about Monday’s column about the closures last week.
“Last Tuesday some of us checked the hotline before leaving for work. Some drive 30 minutes to an hour to get here by 6 a.m.
“The text did not come through announcing that the building was closed until 5:50 a.m., as I was about to enter the building.
“As I was leaving, many were still driving in, unknowingly.” — Turned Around At Woodlawn
(A number of Baltimore-based feds had the same complaint. That they got the turn-around news too late.)
Here’s another timing-is-everything comment:
“It’s not the matter of if they are going to close or open late, it’s a matter of doing it correctly, giving us plenty of time so we again are not caught in this situation.
“Gas is not cheap and my bed was pretty toasty (electric mattress pad).
“This was not the first time.
“Previously, the announcement was not made until shortly after 6 a.m. that it would be a delayed opening. Terrific — now what are the employees that had arrived supposed to do?
“In that situation, when it truly was not the employees fault, we were given two hours at the back end of the day to compensate.” — SSA in Baltimore
A recently retired (to Florida) fed recalled snow days when he worked at the IRS in downtown Washington. He said:
“People unfamiliar with the situation let their political hatred of Washington color everything. They should spend a couple of winters there, especially trying to get over one of the too few bridges over the Potomac. All it takes is a couple of flat tires or two truck accidents on the beltway. That is gridlock, folks, not wimpery.” — Charles in Sarasota
Others found humor in the run up to, and the shutdowns, themselves. As one said:
“When it got really cold recently, I thought about getting a nice, warm down jacket. I went to the mall and had sticker shock at the prices. In this economy, even down is up.” — S.F.
Another grin-and-bear-it type said:
“The government issues the follow travel advisory: ANYONE TRAVELING IN BLIZZARD CONDITIONS SHOULD CARRY THE FOLLOWING:
“1) Shovel. 2) Blankets or sleeping bag. 3) Extra clothing, including hat and gloves. 4) Cell phone. 5) 24 hours worth of food. 6: De-icer. 7) Rock salt. 8 Flashlight with spare batteries. 9) Road flares or reflective triangles. 10: Full spare gas can. 11) First aid kit. 12: Jumper cables.
“So, I looked like an idiot on the bus this morning!”
Best Date(s) To Retire
With the new unused sick-leave benefit now fully in effect, lots of long-time federal workers are expected to retire this year. And some dates are better than others. What works best for you might not apply to others in your car pool. So how do you know?
Tomorrow at 10 a.m. on our Your Turn radio show, benefits expert Tammy Flanagan will talk about how to get the most pay, credit and tax breaks by picking the right-time-for you.
Listen if you can (1500 AM or online), and if you have questions email them to me at mcausey@federalnewsradio.com or call in during the show at (202) 465-3080. The show will be archived here.
NEARLY USELESS FACTOID
Compiled by Jack Moore
“Cow tongue,” “squid” and “salad” are just some of the weird ice cream flavors offered by a food amusement park in Tokyo.
(Source: Kotaku)
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Mike Causey
Mike Causey is senior correspondent for Federal News Network and writes his daily Federal Report column on federal employees’ pay, benefits and retirement.
Follow @mcauseyWFED
