I have been at my government job for four months and still don't have access to everything.

17 Comments

1. AnonymousMarch 13,2025 at 3:53PM UTC

   Similar to the nonprofit employee, you are posting here frequently with same or similar questions each time you post. The advice that people are giving you, what are you doing with it? Of course you should switch. You can't get your job done because you don't have access to the tools you need to get your job done and your boss is doing nothing about it.

2. AnonymousMarch 13,2025 at 6:16PM UTC

   We haven't heard from our non-profit friend recently, (unless I missed it), I wonder what she is up to and if she's finally made an actionable change in her life...

3. LuisathexplorerMarch 14,2025 at 2:14PM UTC

   under no circumstances listen to this person. If you switch jobs after 4 months - your resume will look flaky and be hard to explain. Especially a government job.

   government positions take months and months to get you all all the access to things. This is not like school where you have everything the first day. This is THE GOVERNMENT. They literally went digital the last decade of even that.

4. Angela MasonMarch 13,2025 at 5:04PM UTC

   Consider contacting IT to get the programs you need. If there are forms that need signing, sign them electronically and send them to your supervisor. Electronic signatures are time stamped.

5. AnonymousMarch 13,2025 at 5:48PM UTC

   Just so we're clear, you'd seriously switch jobs in protest over an access issue?

   @Angela's advice is spot on: call IT, CC your boss, their supervisor, etc. until you get some action.

   No idea why the coworker has anything to do with your access issues.

6. AnonymousMarch 13,2025 at 6:19PM UTC

   There's this ongoing project on which we are supposed to work and she has the access to Smartsheet while I don't.

7. AnonymousMarch 13,2025 at 9:05PM UTC

   Who owns the sheet and can grant you access??

8. AnonymousMarch 14,2025 at 12:02PM UTC

   Why wait for your boss to do this for you when you can request access and copy your boss? You're being so passive. Copy everyone including Head of IT.

9. AnonymousMarch 14,2025 at 1:51PM UTC

   This is the path forward! Get in the game!

10. Dolores DuncanMarch 13,2025 at 6:46PM UTC

    I don't advise switching jobs in this government environment. Just kinda bite your tongue and keep plodding along. Continue to talk to your supervisor. Show proof of what you say.

11. AnonymousMarch 13,2025 at 8:01PM UTC

    No, you should be proactive and copy your boss to demonstrate your efforts in finding solutions.

12. AnonymousMarch 14,2025 at 12:29PM UTC

    It’s time to be your own advocate and include your boss’s higher ups on emails asking about the status of access or being unable to complete tasks due to not having the required tools. Watch it change very quickly.

13. AnonymousMarch 14,2025 at 2:09PM UTC

    I have to ask this to be very very clear ..So you mean switch jobs like 1. Leave your government job and go elsewhere like private sector ? or within your department ?

    2 Are you located outside of the U.S? I only ask this because our economy and job market is so dire right now ( I don’t care what the polls say. Places are not hiring and if they are it’s much much less than what the same jobs was 4 years ago OR they have 5,000 candidates for 1 position that is way above the jobs requirements . One last question .. how old are you ? I ask because of my own children’s experience right now at their jobs and me being very confused with how they behave at their own work and wondering if this is generational or personality based.

14. AnonymousMarch 14,2025 at 2:38PM UTC

    I am 41. I would switch jobs within my department.

15. AnonymousMarch 15,2025 at 1:47PM UTC

    Why are you waiting for your boss to do this?

16. Coach Nancie Kay ShumanMarch 15,2025 at 6:48PM UTC

    Have a clear conversation with your boss (and maybe with an HR specialist) regarding the current limitations you are experiencing and expectations.

17. AnonymousMarch 18,2025 at 7:40PM UTC

    THIS! All of it! LOL

    Depending on the nature of the database, a PIV card may be needed to authenticate for access. I think mine took at least 3 months to process when I worked for a company that contracts with the Federal Government.