If We Can't Have It, No One Can Have It

On the heels of this, another bombshell. As of July 31, teleworking at the IEC will be no more.

I've always known full-time telework was a privilege, not a guarantee. But when Trump called for federal workers to get back to the office earlier this year, I figured our time was numbered, though we work for a contractor, not the feds themselves.

Last week, the company announced that hybrid teleworking situations would end this summer, meaning those who worked sometimes at home and sometimes in the office were to return to the office. Those who were on full-time telework wouldn't be affected by the policy.

But in a staff meeting today we were told full-time telework would end. I understand it's because those who were on the hybrid telework situation felt targeted and that it was "unfair" for their opportunity to end while others would be able to continue.

It came down to a group of adults complaining that if they couldn't have it, nobody should have it.

And again, I get it -- work from home was never a long-term guarantee. But still, why mess up something for someone else just because your situation has changed? That seems pretty juvenile to me.

No matter. At least where I'm assigned I won't have to go back out to the site, but will work in town. And it means I'll get my second desk back in the study. It kind of removes part of the need for the home network I was putting together, and I may still do that, particularly since I've already bought the tools and other materials I need to put it together.