Any other families planning for a furlough?

[Deb & Bill]

The Veterans Affairs Administration is exempt from the furlough.

Correct, except that we are the Department of Veterans Affairs now, since 1988 under President Reagan when it was elevated to a Cabinet position. Lots of people make that mistake.

 

[psimon]

Finally got the official word...

First furlough day will be during the pay period starting April 21.

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[afnaechiquita]

Finally got the official word...

First furlough day will be during the pay period starting April 21.

---Paul in Southern NJ

Sorry pal I'm starting to see the effects as well, but no official furlough dates yet.

 

[sharon_wv]

Finally got the official word...

First furlough day will be during the pay period starting April 21.

---Paul in Southern NJ

Sorry, Paul!

I found out that my division will not be affected at this time. We can't get OT, comp time, etc and they cut off tuition assistance. But I'm good with those cutbacks in the short term.

 

[psimon]

Sorry, Paul!

I found out that my division will not be affected at this time. We can't get OT, comp time, etc and they cut off tuition assistance. But I'm good with those cutbacks in the short term.

I too would take that alternative!

 

[disykat]

DH hasn't gotten official notice yet, but they did get the proposed manning schedule. He'll have four day weekends ever other weekend. If he has to furlough, I guess this is a good way to go.

 

[eyor44]

We are suppose to get our letters next week. Rumor has it we'll do the 4 day weekend, every other weekend also. I was hoping for every Friday.

 

[worm761]

DH is supposed to get his letter next week. They said rotating Monday's and Fridays most likely. Not sure if that is 3 day weekends or 4 day weekends.

 

[OhioWDWDuo]

Hubby and I both work for DoD. We're getting our letters next week. We will have one furlough day every week, a total of 22 days. We start the week of April 26th, with half the workforce assigned Fridays and half assigned Mondays. I hope hubby and I get the same day to save on fuel expenses for the commute! I sympathize with everyone else dealing with this. I wish these politicians would get their acts together! Our Disney trip planned for May is cancelled. We're sad, because we were going to take our nephew and he is disappointed, but hopefully we can take him someday. I wish the best of luck to all affected!

 

[lucigo]

DH came home today with word that starting a month from now he will be off every Friday and back to an 8-5 schedule. They had been working 8-6 and having every other Monday off.

Our April cruise is already paid for and nonrefundable, now I'm just hoping I can hold onto our November vacation. What I really want to do is just say screw the whole thing and move back to Florida!

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I'm sorry for all those that have been notified of being furloughed. We have not received any furlough notification yet, but we have had to cancel our performance awards, training, travel, hiring freeze, OT, comp time, QSI's, time off awards, etc. To me, I am thankful that is all that has happened. Hang in there.

 

[psimon]

An interesting article in the Washington Post yesterday regarding furloughs/pay, etc...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/federal_government/federal-union-takes-sequestration-fight-to-the-people/2013/03/13/17f3f40c-8c10-11e2-b63f-f53fb9f2fcb4_story.html

 

[worm761]

An interesting article in the Washington Post yesterday regarding furloughs/pay, etc...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/federal_government/federal-union-takes-sequestration-fight-to-the-people/2013/03/13/17f3f40c-8c10-11e2-b63f-f53fb9f2fcb4_story.html

The comments are laughable. I would love for DH to be paid over $100,000 (not even close!!) and what are all these lush benefits that everyone thinks he gets?
He gets vacation and sick leave- normal! Most companies offer this.
He gets medical insurance- normal! Blue Cross Blue Shield. Pretty typical.
We have Thrift Savings- most companies offer some sort of 401K or retirement accounts. normal.

What are these lush benefits that we are missing out on?

 

[psimon]

The comments are laughable. I would love for DH to be paid over $100,000 (not even close!!) and what are all these lush benefits that everyone thinks he gets?
He gets vacation and sick leave- normal! Most companies offer this.
He gets medical insurance- normal! Blue Cross Blue Shield. Pretty typical.
We have Thrift Savings- most companies offer some sort of 401K or retirement accounts. normal.

What are these lush benefits that we are missing out on?

Your guess is as good as mine.

I liked the point in the article that the CBO office report is what is used to determine that Feds are overcompensated..... but the report was for the years 2005-2010 and we have been in a pay freeze for the last three years... and our contribution to our deductions have gone up!

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[jsmith]

Everyone wants to think the feds are overpaid.
As of today the option year on our contract has not been funded-the current option year ends next friday. My husband recieved his layoff notice today-i have not as yet-only been told i will not be paid for work done after midnight next friday. Sigh

 

[sharon_wv]

Everyone wants to think the feds are overpaid.
As of today the option year on our contract has not been funded-the current option year ends next friday. My husband recieved his layoff notice today-i have not as yet-only been told i will not be paid for work done after midnight next friday. Sigh

So sorry about your husband. I hope you end up fine. The whole situation sucks.

 

[Srbright]

The comments are laughable. I would love for DH to be paid over $100,000 (not even close!!) and what are all these lush benefits that everyone thinks he gets?
He gets vacation and sick leave- normal! Most companies offer this.
He gets medical insurance- normal! Blue Cross Blue Shield. Pretty typical.
We have Thrift Savings- most companies offer some sort of 401K or retirement accounts. normal.

What are these lush benefits that we are missing out on?

Actually...these are quite lush benefits. When you have something and expect something then it becomes less like a benefit and more like a requirement. But it still is a benefit, one that a considerable amount of Americans lack.

In the private sector almost 50% of people don't get sick days at all. Around 25% don't get any vacation time at all. So to say most companies offer it is not accurate. Most people work for small businesses and the majority of small businesses do not offer sick time, vacation time or health insurance.

I actually interviewed for a job at TACOM because I would make less salary but it would be offset by the fact that after my first full year according to where I ranked on their schedule I would get 25 days off per year plus another 10 days sick/personal time.

Stacy


http://www.bls.gov/opub/perspectives/issue2.pdf
http://www.osaunion.org/news/aug07/vacationdays.pdf
http://www.nationalpartnership.org/site/DocServer/PSD_Briefing_Book.pdf
http://www.nbcnews.com/business/new-mandates-paid-sick-leave-raise-hackles-279724

 

[mistysue]

The comments are laughable. I would love for DH to be paid over $100,000 (not even close!!) and what are all these lush benefits that everyone thinks he gets?
He gets vacation and sick leave- normal! Most companies offer this.
He gets medical insurance- normal! Blue Cross Blue Shield. Pretty typical.
We have Thrift Savings- most companies offer some sort of 401K or retirement accounts. normal.

What are these lush benefits that we are missing out on?

Your guess is as good as mine.

I liked the point in the article that the CBO office report is what is used to determine that Feds are overcompensated..... but the report was for the years 2005-2010 and we have been in a pay freeze for the last three years... and our contribution to our deductions have gone up!

---Paul in Southern NJ

I wouldn't try to argue that anybody is overcompensated, I have no idea what you make or what you would make in the private sector.
But I do want to point out to you that I don't think those benefits are normal in private industry anymore. Things change by region, but if you mean paid sick/vacation time that is not so common anymore.
Insurance is becoming less and less common, and between DH and I, the last 6 jobs we have had ONE has offered any sort of retirement plan. I just want to bring it up because those benefits may not be the most successful argument if you want people to sympathize with you.
In the last 5 years or so much of the private sector has had not only pay freezes but pay cuts. Like the furloughs you have right now, but rather than having hours cut they are just told keep coming in, your check will just be for less now. The private sector has also been paying more for deductions. In the last two years the amount we pay monthly toward our insurance has doubled and this is normal in the private sector. Haven't you seen the threads popping up here about pay cuts and benefit reductions? It has been going on for years, now it's catching up to your job as well.
I'm not saying it's ok, and I do feel for you, but you really aren't alone and being picked on. You are just getting the media coverage the private sector jobs have not gotten.

 

[Boston Tea Party]

Actually...these are quite lush benefits.

Lush? Hardly. That is the minimum I would expect from an employer.

Lush would be company car, free cafeteria, day care, gym on premises, etc.

 

[worm761]

I wouldn't try to argue that anybody is overcompensated, I have no idea what you make or what you would make in the private sector.
But I do want to point out to you that I don't think those benefits are normal in private industry anymore. Things change by region, but if you mean paid sick/vacation time that is not so common anymore.
Insurance is becoming less and less common, and between DH and I, the last 6 jobs we have had ONE has offered any sort of retirement plan. I just want to bring it up because those benefits may not be the most successful argument if you want people to sympathize with you.
In the last 5 years or so much of the private sector has had not only pay freezes but pay cuts. Like the furloughs you have right now, but rather than having hours cut they are just told keep coming in, your check will just be for less now. The private sector has also been paying more for deductions. In the last two years the amount we pay monthly toward our insurance has doubled and this is normal in the private sector. Haven't you seen the threads popping up here about pay cuts and benefit reductions? It has been going on for years, now it's catching up to your job as well.
I'm not saying it's ok, and I do feel for you, but you really aren't alone and being picked on. You are just getting the media coverage the private sector jobs have not gotten.

I don't work for the government. Never had. My DH does. He got the job after his time in the Navy. He works for the Navy now but isn't in anymore.

BUT, I have always worked fast food. Loved it. And I always had vacation time, sick time, 401K. And I usually worked for small owners. The ones that only one a few stores not hundreds. So yes, I see them as normal benefits.

I am not looking for sympathy. Just think that people thinking that we make way more than DH does (or your mailman!) and that those are lush benefits and that we are driving brand new vehicles and going on deluxe vacations are just wrong.


BTW.... for those of you that have gotten your furlough letters...Eglin Air Force Base received theirs last week. Rumor on the base is that they were informed that this will be the norm for the next 10 years. Were you told the same? Just wanting to know how much I need to prepare for. If it is permanent then some things will have to change in my budget. Thanks!