Federal employee doing work for a higher grade level position and not getting compensated for it

Anonymous

July 15,2023 at 12:38AM UTC

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Federal employee doing work for a higher grade level position and not getting compensated for it

I have been working for my agency for several years at the a mid grade level, and I have occasionally filled in for somebody at the next level up when that position has been vacant (while also doing my own job ) Most recently, that person left their position well over a year ago, and I and another person have been covering those responsibilities. The issue is that, despite several rounds of job announcements and interviews, the supervisor (political appointee) has opted not to hire anybody. The supervisor has openly expressed a desire to change the way that position operates and have two people covering it., but the reality is, it will not get changed under our current budget situation. The other person covering the job with me works for somebody else. After comparing notes, we realized that we had both been told by our immediate supervisors that we were the first choice for a detail to temporarily fill the position and get paid at the higher grade level, but that our headquarters would not pay for it. So there is some BS going on here. The supervisor is basically getting a big chunk of what she wants, me and my colleague are doing our jobs plus significant work at a higher level for an extended period of time, and we are not getting compensated for it. I know what I think I want to do, but anyone with insight into federal HR policies or other relevant background would love to get your input. My current position is in our bargaining unit, the one above that we are filling in for is not.

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AnonymousJuly 15,2023 at 12:37PM UTC
Are you a member if the union if you have one that is active?
AnonymousJuly 16,2023 at 10:07PM UTC
we do have an active union and they represent everyone in the bargaining unit whether they are formally members or not.
AnonymousJuly 21,2023 at 6:18PM UTC
Contact your union and also you should both write together to the HR and leadership team. The jig is up, let them know you want to get paid for the extra work.
maria roseJuly 24,2023 at 8:38PM UTC
This is a typical situation in a federal government job, where there’s a standstill in moving upward in rank to the next higher pay level. There’s no HR involvement but has more to do with seniority status in the union on who gets allowed to move up and has absolutely nothing to do with the individual’s ability to do the job of what they assume was their supervisor’s job and what they assume is their responsibility in their own position. Federal government jobs move upwards based on seniority status. Perhaps having a discussion with your union representative about your interests to achieve the higher level can put you on the list of candidates who may be considered but that’s not going to change anything about what you are physically doing in the job position you are in, because basically anyone can fill in —okay maybe not as good but federal government jobs are not given based on job efficiency and performance in any measure.
I had 3 relatives who worked in federal government jobs, in various positions, each of whom had to qualify by passing the required paperwork ( test per level) and had the required seniority to be placed on the list to get chosen for the position. There is no skipping the line over another candidate unless you have connections to someone who is already in a much higher position and accepts the union’s recommendation.
AnonymousJuly 25,2023 at 8:22PM UTC
File a grievance