Was it on your issued iPhone?
No, because we were using the iPhones to do the roleplay. I’m an Android gal so I’m not familiar enough with the iPhone to use it for a call and an app at the same time.
For those Census workers who are going to be using the mobile app … When you’ve had a chance to get used to it, I’d be interested in knowing what you think of it.
It’s ok. Sometimes it freezes mid-interview. The map could be a lot better. The scroll wheel for entering your hours sucks donkey tits.
My cell phone is a flip phone, so all this iPhone stuff will be new to me.
Today, I went to Flagstaff for my “onboarding” We sat in a huge warehouse, 1 “instructor” and 2 incoming people at a table. It was hot. Our table instructor who was also a supervisor didn’t seem understand that when filling out government paperwork, SHE had to sign as employer, not me.
While I am used to 'droids, I didn’t really have any issue with the I-phone’s functionality (except I still can’t find a way to allow the screen to automatically rotate), its very annoying that I can’t use any of the chargers we have all over the place and have to use that little, short cord I was issued.
Onboarding was 2 hours. There is a conference call scheduled tomorrow at 8am (or whenever the person doing it is able to call everyone).
I told my mother, an I-phone user, about phone and conference call and she said I should be sure to wear pants because I-phone cameras are really easy to activate on conference calls. She usually gives very good advice, so I thought I would pass it on.
If I were a Census worker, I’d wear a kilt and to hell with the rest.
I had Orientation Numero Uno this afternoon, and a conference call is scheduled for this evening. They said this one shouldn’t last more than 30 minutes, and last night’s was over in 15. Learning to use an iPhone and doing computer tutorials is not something I’m looking forward to with any huge enthusiasm, but I signed up for this so I will do it.
I was pleasantly surprised to learn that my drive home would be paid, both for time and mileage, and my “homework” will also be paid time.
One thing I think we can all agree on is that the whole shebang is incredibly disorganized.
Honey, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet
Got my first pay stub today. (Paydays are on Wednesday if they didn’t tell you.)
Quick breakdown:
Mileage is untaxed
There is night differential pay for working after 6 pm
Sunday pay is premium
Training pay is half of regular pay
The initial 2-hour orientation class was disorganized; the administrators were new and learning by doing. There were just two trainees (me and someone else) at the first day’s first class. They had 5 or 6 for the next class.
The biggest mistake was that when we arrived they wanted to know our direct deposit numbers — that had not been previously mentioned. Fortunately my wife was home and I texted her to send me a photo of one of my checks.
Also were supposed to provide the mileage for our trip back home from the training. They said we could just use Google Maps, so that’s what I did.
Everyone fumbled through. And now there’s 16-20 hrs of online learning and conference calls that have to be completed in short order — and without logging more than 8 hours of work each day. NO overtime mofo, or there will be hell to pay.
I hadn’t been told that about training pay. How did you get your stub - by snail mail, or text or e-mail?
Pay is direct deposit, stubs are by snail mail. We were told that training pay was the same as regular but according to my pay stub, it isn’t.
Might want to ask your supervisor, then.
I tried to sign on earlier to do some computer tutorials; I was able to sign in but the tutorials weren’t loaded yet. They said that might not happen for us until tomorrow or maybe Monday.
My tutorials were finally loaded this afternoon. As of right now, I’m 40% finished, and I’m sure glad it’s paid time because it’s just as tedious as it sounds, but it does have information necessary to doing the job that many employees might not know about.
And now we’re supposed to conclude by the end of September. I’ll believe that when I see it.
Went to class this morning and waiting for the tutorials to load.
Did my in person training this morning. Started some of the training this evening but got stuck with an error trying to open a folder. I’ll try again tomorrow…
I got 50% through those boring tutorials, and got stuck in a loop and decided to call it a night. Sure glad that time is paid! 
I am wondering about the “Postman as Proxy” bit. Are USPS employees supposed to give out personal information about the people they deliver mail to?
Hey! No homework help!
(joke, in case not obvious)