Pay During Furlough

Date: Thu, 28 Dec 1995 14:13:25 GMT

To: "USGS Employees"<distribution>
Subject: TO ALL USGS EMPLOYEES

To:       All Employees

From:     Bonnie R. Cohen
          Assistant Secretary - Policy, Management and Budget

Subject:  Pay During Furlough

I deeply regret having to inform you that due to the lapse of appropriations,
you will receive only partial pay for the period  beginning December 10 and
ending December 23, 1995, which will be your January 4, 1996 paycheck.

Your salary for the time between December 10 through 15 will be estimated
using your regular work schedule.  That means that on January 4, 1996, you
will receive pay for 40 hours.  The reason is that without an appropriation or
continuing resolution, we cannot legally obligate or expend funds beyond that
date.  This affects both furloughed and excepted employees and all Federal
agencies without appropriation bills.

The DOI Federal Credit Union is offering interest free loans in the amount of
a member's net paycheck until the member receives his/her paycheck or 30 days,
whichever comes first.  For those employees who are not members of the
Interior Credit Union, perhaps you will want to contact your bank or credit
union to see whether they are offering a similar service.

The President strongly believes that you should be paid for the furlough time. 
And we are encouraged by the pledge of many members of both the House and
Senate to restore wages lost.  This will, however, require a special
appropriation by the Congress.

For those on furlough, I know that you want to return to work as quickly as
possible.  I recognize that this time of uncertainty has been difficult for
you.  I commend you for your patience and understanding and look forward to
having you back on the job soon.

Those of you who are excepted employees, I appreciate your dedication to duty
and thank you for the work you are doing during this trying time.  I will
continue to keep you informed as new developments unfold.

Attachment

                          QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES
                                    ON
                          PAY FOR JANUARY 4, 1996

Q:  Will I be paid for overtime worked or special pay such as night
differential?

R:  The initial pay provided on January 4, 1996 will only be for your tour of
duty scheduled for the first week of the pay period (or for both weeks if you
have an appropriation or funding) and will not include overtime or special
pay.  These funds will be included with the pay calculated after a continuing
resolution or permanent appropriation is effective.

Q:  What about deductions for the Thrift Savings Plan, allotments to financial
institutions, child support, garnishments, etc.?

R:  These will not be deducted through the initial pay to be received 
January 4, 1996, but will be deducted through the final pay to be calculated
after a continuing resolution or permanent appropriation is effective to the
extent funds are available from net pay.  Employees with special financial
obligations need to make personal arrangements to accommodate this unusual pay
situation.

Q:  If I am furloughed, will I be paid for the period December 16-23, 1996?

R:  This will be dependent on the legislation enacted.

Q:  How soon after a continuing resolution or permanent appropriation is
effective will I receive the remainder of any pay due for the period 
December 10-23?

R:  A final payroll will be processed upon receipt of all T&A data.  Every
effort will be made to expedite receipt of the data, calculation of pay, and
disbursement by Treasury.  Organizations responsible for this are prepared to
work extended hours in order to accommodate this situation.  It is estimated
that final pay will be received by the employee within 5 days of the effective
date of a continuing resolution or permanent appropriation.

Q:  My pay is normally deposited in my bank.  If my financial institution does
not receive a deposit for me by January 4, 1996, what should I do?

R:  Contact the Payroll Hotline at (303) 969-7732.

Q:  If my pay is mailed to me, can I expect to receive it by January 4, 1996?

R:  Every effort is being made to assure this, but it is possible that checks
mailed to an individual could be late.  Again, the Payroll Hotline should be
contacted at (303) 969-7732 to determine the status of individual checks.

Q:  If the amount of my pay does not seem right, what should I do?

R:  Contact the Payroll Hotline, and they will research individual cases and
make any necessary adjustments as quickly as possible.

Q:  When can I expect to receive a Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) for this
pay period (9601) and how will my initial pay be identified on the statement?

R:  Once final pay is calculated, your LES will be produced. It will reflect
gross earnings authorized for the entire pay period, including any pay which
may become authorized for the furlough period, overtime, premium pay, COLA,
differentials, and other allowances.  The initial pay you received on 
January 4, 1996, will be identified as hours code 65A on your LES.  This
dollar amount will be deducted from your gross earnings for this pay period,
and any remaining pay to which you are entitled will be disbursed to you at
this time.