Any other families planning for a furlough?

[psimon]

Not furloughs specifically, but I have heard that several things are in limbo because they're waiting on the budget, and I assume how many days for furlough is part of that.

We were told 88 hours a few weeks ago and it hasn't changed.

The union has made an agreement with management that we can take the hours as we want. If we want to reduce each day by an hour, that's fine. If we want to take a bunch of the days together, that will also be ok.

Just a different approach compared to others I've heard.

Any one else getting this kind of approach?

--Paul in Southern NJ

 

[OhioWDWDuo]

DH was told today that the furlough letters are being delayed by two weeks so that everyone can review the newly passed budget. They are hoping to be able to let departments move money around and find cuts to try to avoid (or maybe just lessen) the furloughing.

Has anyone else heard anything similar?

Yes! The same happened to us today. We have a 2 week delay for furlough letters. We heard that we'll probably still be furloughed but maybe not for 22 days. It's been a really tough week with everyone expecting their letters tomorrow...

 

[gwynne]

Yes! The same happened to us today. We have a 2 week delay for furlough letters. We heard that we'll probably still be furloughed but maybe not for 22 days. It's been a really tough week with everyone expecting their letters tomorrow...

Same here, 2 week delay.

 

[psimon]

Furloughs in the news

http://www.buzzfeed.com/andrewkaczynski/the-real-face-of-the-sequester

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[afnaechiquita]

We were told 88 hours a few weeks ago and it hasn't changed.

The union has made an agreement with management that we can take the hours as we want. If we want to reduce each day by an hour, that's fine. If we want to take a bunch of the days together, that will also be ok.

Just a different approach compared to others I've heard.

Any one else getting this kind of approach?

--Paul in Southern NJ

Someone told me this week that it has to be 88 hours or else it will mess with benefits. I thought before that it was just if they had a straight two weeks off, it would mess with benefits, but what I was told was even if it's ten+ days in separate pay periods, benefits will be affected.

We received guidance a month ago stating almost the same - there will be designated days but if you'd like to change the days after being advised of what days, you have that option. Didn't hear anything about taking it out as a seven hour day though. BUT, considering that an SF-50 must be recorded when you start the furlough and when you end the furlough, I can't imagine that would be a viable option as you'd need a new SF-50 every single day, correct?

 

[psimon]

Someone told me this week that it has to be 88 hours or else it will mess with benefits. I thought before that it was just if they had a straight two weeks off, it would mess with benefits, but what I was told was even if it's ten+ days in separate pay periods, benefits will be affected.

We received guidance a month ago stating almost the same - there will be designated days but if you'd like to change the days after being advised of what days, you have that option. Didn't hear anything about taking it out as a seven hour day though. BUT, considering that an SF-50 must be recorded when you start the furlough and when you end the furlough, I can't imagine that would be a viable option as you'd need a new SF-50 every single day, correct?

From what we were told, no SF-50s are required. The manager just keeps track of when the employee takes the time and I'm sure it is coded as such when you file your time cards.

It is true that when you have been furloughed the equivalent of a pay period (typically 80 hours) you lose the leave (sick and annual) for that pay period. Sadly, you are still responsible for your side of the benefits (health and life insurance, FSA, etc)!

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

DH hasn't been told anything about a delay, but they did finally tell him that IF they are furloughed the letters will go out on March 25th, either on paper or in emails. I'm glad to hear something a little more definitive finally.

 

[disykat]

But DoD is special.

If you look at the current Continuing Resolution that is moving through Congress, it is 269 pages long. The first 226 pages are DoD related. The rest of it deals with the rest of Government.

Shows how important the rest of us are!

---Paul in Southern NJ

Special enough to only lose 11 days! I'd take it!

 

[psimon]

Special enough to only lose 11 days! I'd take it!

DoT is also 11 days.

---Paul in Southern NJ

 

[madge]

DH was told today that the furlough letters are being delayed by two weeks so that everyone can review the newly passed budget. They are hoping to be able to let departments move money around and find cuts to try to avoid (or maybe just lessen) the furloughing.

Has anyone else heard anything similar?

by now we all know about the delay ...

I've read this morning that the amount of furlough days will remain the same, it's just going to start later. At least one week we'll have to double up.

I have NO idea if this is what's going to happen, I'm hoping it's just random speculation on some blogger's part.

Will there be any more guidance on this since Congress is now enjoying their Easter recess?

 

[madge]

DH hasn't been told anything about a delay, but they did finally tell him that IF they are furloughed the letters will go out on March 25th, either on paper or in emails. I'm glad to hear something a little more definitive finally.

is he DoD?

 

[madge]

Yes! The same happened to us today. We have a 2 week delay for furlough letters. We heard that we'll probably still be furloughed but maybe not for 22 days. It's been a really tough week with everyone expecting their letters tomorrow...

is there any productive work going on right now? I mean that as a serious question ... morale is LOW at DH office. much stress & worry. DH is concerned about the people under him who are barely making it as it is in addition to worrying about our own situation. Some are looking for other work, but in an economy where it's difficult to find a job no matter where you live ... it's an additional challenge to try and find something in a town with strong DoD ties. No one knows what the overall effect to the economy will be here.

Ugh.

 

[madge]

We were told 88 hours a few weeks ago and it hasn't changed.

The union has made an agreement with management that we can take the hours as we want. If we want to reduce each day by an hour, that's fine. If we want to take a bunch of the days together, that will also be ok.

Just a different approach compared to others I've heard.

Any one else getting this kind of approach?

--Paul in Southern NJ

Not in DH office. They're all taking Fridays off, period, per someone higher up in the food chain.

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

is he DoD?

Yes.

 

[madge]

Yes.

I swear, this whole thing is so confusing. And I guess that's what the goal is ... to make it confusing. There are so many agencies involved, different furlough lengths, exemptions ... hate. it.

 

[afnaechiquita]

is there any productive work going on right now? I mean that as a serious question ... morale is LOW at DH office. much stress & worry. DH is concerned about the people under him who are barely making it as it is in addition to worrying about our own situation. Some are looking for other work, but in an economy where it's difficult to find a job no matter where you live ... it's an additional challenge to try and find something in a town with strong DoD ties. No one knows what the overall effect to the economy will be here.

Ugh.

It has been a busy week, so yes, there is productive work going on.

I understand planning for the worst possible scenario, but the work doesn't stop while worrying. Just keep swimming...

 

[wvjules]

DH was told today that the furlough letters are being delayed by two weeks so that everyone can review the newly passed budget. They are hoping to be able to let departments move money around and find cuts to try to avoid (or maybe just lessen) the furloughing.

Has anyone else heard anything similar?

Same here.

This email serves to notify everyone that The Office of the Secretary of Defense has delayed (approximately 2 weeks) the release of furlough proposal notices to all federal civilian employees.

This delay will allow the Department to carefully analyze the impact of the pending Continuing Resolution legislation on the Department's resources.

The number of furlough days at this point remains up to 22 for FY 13.

Moving forward, Furlough notices will not be issued to any federal OUR DEPT civilian employee without positive clearance from the Installation Commander

We will provide additional information as it becomes available.

 

[TinaElmerRh]

My husband is also DOD. I wish they would just get it over with already. This not knowing is driving me nuts. I have a cruise planned that has to be paid for by August. That will be the first thing along with others that will have to go.

 

[Swimalie]

is there any productive work going on right now? I mean that as a serious question ... morale is LOW at DH office. much stress & worry. DH is concerned about the people under him who are barely making it as it is in addition to worrying about our own situation. Some are looking for other work, but in an economy where it's difficult to find a job no matter where you live ... it's an additional challenge to try and find something in a town with strong DoD ties. No one knows what the overall effect to the economy will be here.

Ugh.

My husband is doing okay, still. In fact, he's busier than normal right now and will be traveling for work in 2 weeks. I suspect most are doing what they normally do and working their areas.

 

[madge]

My husband is doing okay, still. In fact, he's busier than normal right now and will be traveling for work in 2 weeks. I suspect most are doing what they normally do and working their areas.

things have slowed where we are, but that's common this time of the year ... especially considering the weather. that probably isn't helping anything ... DH got word this week that one of the projects he's been waiting on to start has been downsized and delayed, if it happens at all.

DH office also has a mix of furloughed & exempt employees. That's also been making things interesting.