**Office of Human Resources Management and Labor Relations**

***CO Human Resources Employee Relations***

***Executive Resources Marketing and Veterans Outreach***

***Worklife and Benefits Compensation and Classification***

***Oversight and Effectiveness Recruitment and Placement Policy***

***Labor Management Relations Human Resources Development***

***Workforce Planning Workforce Information Systems Team***

**[COHRS Awards]{.underline}**: Processed 90 Secretary Hero Awards.
**(Mike Watson)**

**[Staffing Operations]{.underline}:** 14 vacancy announcements were
posted. (**Mike Watson)**

**[Special Emphasis:]{.underline}** VACO Federal Women's Program
celebrates the 86^th^ anniversary of Women in America, Winning the Right
to Vote, Thursday, August 24 at 12 noon in Room 230. The event will be
hosted by the Honorable Lisette Mondello, Assistant Secretary for Public
and Intergovernmental Affairs. This year's featured guest is Dr.
Hortense B. Hinton, Provost of Manassas Campus Northern Virginia
Community College. **(Mike Watson)**

**[Worklife and Benefits Service]{.underline}: Alternate Work Schedules
for Registered Nurses:** The Worklife and Benefits Service participated
in the Veterans Health Administration Conference Call on August 7, 2006,
to provide a brief overview of the Alternate Work Schedules for
Registered Nurses (AWSRNs) Policy to the Executive Nursing Staff. The
policy established two additional AWSRNs, the 36/40 Work Schedule and
the 9-Month Work Schedule, in addition to requirements prohibiting the
scheduling of nurses who provide direct patient care in excess of 12
consecutive hours or 60-hours within a 7-day period. A reporting
protocol was also established by which facility directors certify
implementation of the Policy Against Certain Work Hours. To facilitate
implementation and application of the AWSRNs, our Service is issuing to
HR offices, managers, supervisors and employees; Frequently Asked
Questions and Answers, a Quick Reference Slide Presentation on AWSRNs,
Fact Sheets for Managers and Employees, and a AWSRNs Brochure.
**(Maxcine Sterling)**

**[Worklife and Benefits Service]{.underline}:**  **Notice - Impact of
Incorrect Part-time Proration Indicator Codes for Employees under
FEHB:**  On August 10, 2006, the Worklife and Benefits Service issued a
"Notice" to Human Resources (HR) offices regarding the impact that this
may have on employees who have been identified as having incorrect FEHB
indicator codes.  As a result, some employees have either overpaid or
underpaid their FEHB premiums.  HR offices were advised to review the
Workforce Information Systems Team Bulletin 06-23, "Review of Part-time
Proration Indicator for FEHB" and to take appropriate corrective actions
in preparation of assisting those employees whose take home pay may be
negatively impacted. HR offices were advised that they should offer,
[only]{.underline} to those employees who have underpaid their FEHB
premiums, the option of a belated 2006 FEHB Open Season Election. The
effective date for those employees wishing to change FEHB plans will be
**retroactive** to January 8, 2006 (pay period 01).  **(Maxcine
Sterling)**

**[Oversight and Effectiveness]{.underline}:** Chuck McClellan and Anna
Cenatiempo conducted a scheduled on-site review at Bedford VAMC during
Aug 7-11th. Kent Cseplo and Kimberly Hughes are preparing for the
Asheville VAMC on-site review scheduled for next week. VHA is soliciting
names of HR Specialists who wish to participate as on-site review team
members in FY 2007. The HR Annual Report for FY 2005 will be in formal
concurrence this week. **(Carol Mellen)**

**[Recruitment & Placement Policy Service]{.underline}: VISN 4 - United
Unions Partnership** -- On August 9, 2006, Caren Eirkson met with VISN
4's Partnership Council in Lebanon, PA. Approximately 20 Medical Center
Directors and other management officials and 10 union representatives
participated. She provided a 3-hour briefing that covered the following:
Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Program; Suitability and
Adjudication; and e-QIP. **(Elodie Murray)**

**HRML No. 05-06-06 Providing Instructions for Implementing Policy
Changes Covering VHA Title 38 Hybrid Occupations --** Issued August 8,
2006, this Human Resources Management Letter (HRML) follows up on
interim guidance covering Title 38 Hybrid occupations in HRMLs issued in
2004 and 2005. Specifically, the newly issued HRML covers the following:

-   Policy changes covering existing, first generation hybrid
    occupations;

-   Second generation hybrid employees and Implementation of new
    appointment and promotion policies;

-   Establishment of professional standards boards at the facility,
    VISN, regional and/or national levels;

-   Correction of classification errors of positions in the second
    generation hybrid occupations; and

-   Initial special boarding of employees in second generation hybrid
    occupations. **(Elodie Murray)**

**VA Policy Revision on Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program
Employment --** On July 20, 2006, a revision to Part II of VA Handbook
5005 and a new Appendix II-Q were published to implement the final
regulations on the PMF Program and to set forth a framework for the
recruitment, selection, and appointment of Fellows. We are arranging to
have the revision posted on the OHRM&LR Web site. **(Elodie Murray)**

**Management Satisfaction Survey on Permanent Competitive Title 5
Hiring** -- HRML No. 05-06-05, dated July 20, 2006, provided
instructions for implementing this Management Satisfaction Survey
effective August 1, 2006, has been posted on the OHRM&LR Web site. The
anonymous survey is completed on-line in 5 minutes or less by the hiring
manager for permanent competitive Title 5 positions filled through a
Delegated Examining Unit (DEU) or Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
certificate of eligibles. HR offices need to have the manager sign a
survey acknowledgement form, which includes the Web address the manager
uses to access the on-line survey. **(Elodie Murray)**