I have a side-gig helping Veterans get the most disability as possible. Their claims are based off Dr visits while they were active duty. Some people waste my time by giving me files with over 1k pages, and 90% of it is from after they were discharged. It wastes many hours of my time. Paperwork is always disorganized, often getting many copies of the same paper. I have to comb through and read every page. On average, it takes me 6-8 hours per file. I organize then have to write down each injury + each date they went to the Dr for it. The fun part is reading Dr's handwritten notes to figure out the injury lol I love helping people, but they think they'll get more by padding their paperwork and it just doesn't work like that.

I am honestly much more upset about it than I thought I would be or probably than I should be. I think between my own marriage being kind of crappy (we're solidly in the roommate stage) and working from home and being a bit isolated, I just really appreciate feeling special to someone. It's nice to have someone who looks forward to "seeing" me every day and laughs at my jokes.

His last day is in 3 weeks. There are plans for our small, local team and him to go to lunch that day (we're all remote, so most of the team is not in the area). But that may be the last time I see him :( I do think we will chat from time to time, but it will probably be just a quick, "How are you doing?" note every once in a while. Hardly the same as our daily chats. All the feelings aside, we really do work very well together. I joked for him to take me with him. And he said that once he gets settled, and checks out the landscape, he will see about recommending people from our team as positions come available. And I'm at the top of that list. But that may not even be an option he has, and even if it is, we mostly likely wouldn't be working together again; just at the same organization. 1/2

Aww, sorry to hear, OP. So do you think you will ever talk to him again once he leaves?

Just got off the phone with Boss. He is leaving. He's accepted a position at another agency. We work for the government, so another government agency is really the same as a totally different company. I'm not surprised; there have been a lot of unpopular decisions made lately that's he's had to deal with the fallout from. But I'm so, so sad. I genuinely like him as a person, and he is truly the best manager I've ever worked for. At least I was able to hold back the tears until we hung up.

My coworker was complaining for the last two days about being on her period, but I didn't think anything of it. Today said ran out of pads, but would have to wait until Friday to buy more bc that's when her husband gets paid. I know they're tight on money, but that's the saddest thing I've heard. On my lunch, I went over to Target and bought them bc it was right thing to do. Her eyes light up. How can someone working full-time working for the state government struggle this much? I felt really bad for her.

Conference is over. Nothing Earth shattering, but did get to see Boss. We don't get much time to really interact or talk to each other at these things. We joke that we get to talk to each other more when we're not in the same room together, and it's true. But it's always nice to see him and get a hug.

Thanks for these updates.. I went through the same thing years ago and just like to read about someone else with the same issue

I have an in-person training with Boss in 2 weeks. Then a 2 day conference with him the week after that. Haven't seen him in person for 3 months.

I don't know what to do. I absolutely LOVE my job. Love what I do, and love the folks that I work with. It's 100% remote, and I'm not micromanaged at all. Very laid-back environment and very secure. But I'm woefully underpaid. The chances of me seeing any kind of meaningful increase are slim, just by the nature of our business. We're OK financially, but my oldest starts college in the fall, so more money would definitely be helpful. I know I probably should find a better paying job, but I don't think I would ever find one that I would like as much. I'm so torn.