Anonymous Federal Worker

To receive an email in the federal government essentially advocating for turning in your colleagues seems so Orwellian and McCarthyism-like. It was shocking.

To receive an email in the federal government essentially advocating for turning in your colleagues seems so Orwellian and McCarthyism-like. It was shocking.

We were told to take our pronouns down. People are afraid to give a shout out about Black History Month or Women's History Month.

We were told to take our pronouns down. People are afraid to give a shout out about Black History Month or Women's History Month.

Things like gender-based violence or women's empowerment. Even Happy Lunar New Year. You know, it was like, oh gosh, should we not even be saying that?

Things like gender-based violence or women's empowerment. Even Happy Lunar New Year. You know, it was like, oh gosh, should we not even be saying that?

Fast forward, I don't know, a couple days later, And I got the fork in the road email.

Fast forward, I don't know, a couple days later, And I got the fork in the road email.

It came on January 28th. It came at different times, but we all got it in the evening. Mine came at about 10 p.m.

It came on January 28th. It came at different times, but we all got it in the evening. Mine came at about 10 p.m.

I read it on my work cell phone, and I called out to my fiancé just being like, fork in the road? Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me?

I read it on my work cell phone, and I called out to my fiancé just being like, fork in the road? Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me?

The email makes it basically sound like if you don't take this opt-out, you could potentially lose your job in the future.

The email makes it basically sound like if you don't take this opt-out, you could potentially lose your job in the future.

When this email came, it felt like... You know, the horror film, the call is coming from inside the house. Like, it's my own leadership that is gunning for me.

When this email came, it felt like... You know, the horror film, the call is coming from inside the house. Like, it's my own leadership that is gunning for me.

Then a few days later, we received a frequently asked questions email regarding the fork in the road email.

Then a few days later, we received a frequently asked questions email regarding the fork in the road email.

That email saying you have this great opportunity, you should take it. You work in a low productivity federal job and you should go to a high productivity private sector job.

That email saying you have this great opportunity, you should take it. You work in a low productivity federal job and you should go to a high productivity private sector job.