- Federal Employee's Retirement Planning Guide - https://fedretire.net -

(NEW) OPM Requesting Weekly Email Accomplishments!

Posted By Dennis Damp On In ANNUITIES / ELIGIBILITY,BENEFITS / INSURANCE,EMPLOYMENT OPTIONS,ESTATE PLANNING,RETIREMENT CONCERNS,SURVIVOR INFORMATION | Comments Disabled
Share [1]

Two million federal employees received another email from OPM Friday evening requesting they reply with a list of last week’s accomplishments. The email states, “Going forward, please complete the above task each week by Mondays at 11:59 p.m. ET.”

After reviewing the first memo, many agencies advised their staff not to reply; they handle these requests in their own way. This includes the FBI, the Justice Department, the State Department, the Pentagon, the Department of Energy, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

Other departments advised employees to reply to the memo, continuing the flurry of activity across the federal sector. Most don’t know what to expect [2] over the coming months.

[3]

The New Memo

This memo was sent out on Friday evening:

“From: HR <hr@opm.gov>

Sent: Friday, February 28, 2025 8:45 PM

Subject: [EXTERNAL] What did you do last week? Part II

Importance: High

Please reply to this email with approx. 5 bullets describing what you accomplished last week and cc your manager.

Going forward, please complete the above task each week by Mondays at 11:59 pm ET.

Please do not send links, attachments, or any classified/sensitive information. If all of your activities are classified or sensitive, please write ‘All of my activities are sensitive’.”

The White House said that approximately a million of the federal government’s over 2.3 million employees replied to the first email asking for five bullet points highlighting last week’s accomplishments.

Summary

DOGE is moving too far and fast, as evident by the chaos surrounding it. They are insensitive to the federal employees losing their jobs and discount the many federal workers who do outstanding jobs every day. Federal services touch all of our lives in one way or another.

I don’t see how this is helping matters. They should allow each Agency Head to work within their organizations to streamline if needed. They made their point on their first accomplishment request [4], which should have been enough.

Several employees I talked to already submitted the bullets for last week and didn’t stop at 5; many listed more, emphasizing the many things they are tasked to do weekly. Federal employees are often expected to multitask, participate in work groups, attend meetings, and take on collateral duties. I would send a laundry list of accomplishments and include the things your supervisor may not be unaware of.

Keep a hard copy of every email you send, highlight major accomplishments on each copy, and take the emails with you to your annual performance review. This could support an outstanding rating or a Quality Within Grade (QWI).

All reorganizations are disruptive, former President Clinton did it in the late 1990s using the Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) [5], with an accompanying $25,000 Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP) [6]. RIFS are typically used as a last resort.

The administration must lower the temperature and realize that its actions disrupt many lives. Federal employees aren’t the root of the problem; it’s out-of-control spending and the lack of oversight by Congress.

Additional information – DOGE and federal downsizing:

Helpful Retirement Planning Tools

[12]
Federal employees who are retiring soon and recent retirees with security clearances
can search thousands of high-paying defense and government contractor job [12]s.

Disclaimer: The information provided may not cover all aspect of unique or special circumstances, federal regulations, medical procedures, investment, and benefit information are subject to change. To ensure the accuracy of this information, contact relevant parties for assistance including OPM’s retirement center.

Over time, various dynamic economic factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. The information contained herein should not be considered investment advice and may not be suitable for your situation. This service is not affiliated with OPM or any federal entity. You should consult with a financial, medical or human resource professional where appropriate. Neither the publisher or author shall be liable for any loss or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

Last 5 posts by Dennis Damp