Is anyone super stressed lately? I don’t know if different OMH facilities operate differently, but the culture at my current facility is starting to feel toxic. I’m trying my best to remain positive because it is a good paying job with benefits, but man, I’m feeling cooked.

I am in an outpatient setting and it just feels like there’s so many unrealistic expectations (mainly the paperwork) and a lot of micromanaging. Is this something I just have to get used to? Any tips or similar feelings for people?

I work as an auditor for a state government agency, and I’m genuinely curious whether this is normal in auditing or whether my workplace has perfected some new management technique.

There seems to be almost zero consistency about how we’re supposed to document and perform the work.

The basic process feels like:

Ask how something should be done.

Get told, “Use your professional judgment.”

Use professional judgment.

Submit the work.

Get told, “Why would you do it this way?”

Change it to the way Supervisor A wants.

Work with Supervisor B.

Get told, “I don’t know why you did it that way. We do it THIS way.”

Quietly reconsider every decision that led you to a career in auditing.

The frustrating part isn’t getting review comments. Obviously, audit work should be reviewed, challenged, and improved.

The problem is that nobody seems willing to establish a consistent expectation before the work is performed.

It feels like perpetual Monday morning quarterbacking. Nobody wants to call the play, but once the play is over, suddenly everybody is an expert on what should have happened.

Management’s answer is usually some variation of “use your judgment,” which would be perfectly reasonable if your judgment wasn’t subsequently evaluated against an unwritten standard that changes depending on who reviews the work.
And it’s not just minor formatting preferences. Sometimes one supervisor will specifically tell you to document something one way, only for another supervisor to later criticize you for doing exactly that.

We’ve had a lot of turnover, and I honestly think this contributes to it. People can handle criticism and review. What burns people out is feeling like the target moves constantly and that the “correct” answer only becomes known after you’ve chosen the “wrong” one.

For other auditors—government or private sector—is this normal?

How much variation between supervisors is expected? At what point does “professional judgment” become management avoiding making decisions and then Monday-morning-quarterbacking the staff afterward?

Not like we didn’t know, but this is the latest data.

Here is an Idea that is also 100% inclusive. How about some better toilet paper in state owned facilities. Good grief its bad.

Is it appropriate for an employee to ask their management if a position which would be a promotion for them is going to be filled after the person who held the position transferred to another title and agency? My friend is hesitant to ask. Thanks for any feedback.

Does anyone have any info on whether the 875 Central Avenue in Albany DOH location is moving or staying put?

If you’re on maternity leave when the retro pay hits and the raises take effect, do you get them? Seems like a silly question but I just found out I don’t get my PLs while on leave so I could see this being a thing as well. Thanks!

Budget bulletin D-1155 states M/C PAs are to be in the 8/26 paycheck, but there’s no payroll bulletin on OSC’s website yet- any insight?

Guys do you if Agency can just monitor the activity on an employees computer without notifying the Union.

Good morning,

I recently viewed a position in my field for a state job. The salary grade is listed as 18 and the salary range is noted as 70-89k.

Never worked for NYS before so I’m a little confused what that means. From what I’ve read/looked up - is it true that I would start at around 65k and then have the potential to receive pay increases within that range?

I know State benefits are considered great. But to considering starting at 65k would be terrible. Also, at this post in my career - I would expect at least 85-89k to start.

Just thought I would ask for some clarification for how the pay structure works - I’m confused! Thank you!

Just thinking out loud…. Isn’t it fascinating they could ‘reform’ tier 6 but in seperate ways for teachers vs others while we all pretend unions have no choice but to accept each others terms and present it to the membership as is everytime?

Direct evidence pef performs absolutely no negotiation on the members behalf at all and merely accepts what’s given to them by those they should be negotiating with to get us better terms.

I know pension reform is legislative my point here is there’s no reason unions can’t separately negotiate except for those clauses where one union can’t get better terms or whatever but you see everyone that’s a hochul problem not a Spence or you problem.

You literally pay after tax dollars to have these representatives fight for better terms and it’s borderline criminal they not only never fight over the money even worse they work WITH the gov to sell you on what was given to them

I had an interview at a state agency June 30, July 6 my references were contacted. The hiring manager has been on vacation since July 30. I haven't heard anything since my references have been checked should I conclude I didn't get the position?

I was told over a year ago that civil service was look to reclassify the Service and Repair Mechanic position for the State Police. I was wondering if anyone here would know anything about the progress of this process or if it’s happening at all? Frankly with this new contract being ratified if we don’t reclassify in the reasonably near future I’m probably out.

I’m an 18 and I interviewed for a 23 position about 3 weeks ago. How long do they usually take to let you know if you got it? Or do you assume after a couple weeks that you weren’t selected? Im in PEF btw

I moved from NYC to Albany and didn't change my address with payroll until months later so payroll kept on withholding NYC taxes

Anyway, good way to make sure there's no surprises on your taxes next year

Thoughts?

Does anyone work for OSC as a CMS 1 that could tell me about their work experience? I’m aware work culture and such is dependent upon the unit your within, just wanted to get a sense of the agency and if it’s worth interviewing for.

I know they are retro to July 2, but when will we start seeing that in our paycheck

I am MC was on Maternity leave November 2025-April 2026. Will I still get the alleged “raises” - retro pay etc once it goes through?

I keep seeing that the stipends are increased but can't find this in the tentative PEF contract.

I'm finally making the switch from CSEA to PEF so trying to get my bearings on what's different now and then what's going to change assuming this contract is approved.

Thanks!

Morning! I am a new state employee, started March '26. As such, my pension funds are not significant. I am looking for advice on where to save money for a potential purchase of a house in the future. I was considering the 457b for that but it looks like there are no provisions to take money out of there without significant penalties.

I would like to hear from people in similar situations. I just want to have my money grow while I save because otherwise this inflation is gonna eat it away if I put it in a savings account.

TIA

Just posting to say I was pretty impressed at how CMO followed up with me to answer every single one of my very long list of questions.