Federal furloughs...do you think they'll happen?

[Anonymous]

WHat do you think will happen to gov't contracts with big consulting firms like BAH and Deloitte?

[Anonymous]

Yes furloughs here. We've been running on empty for a while, borrowing from peter, etc. We're screwed.

That said, yes, I wish it would be easier to get rid of some employees. Over the past year it's been the better employees who have jumped ship or retired early with the modest incentive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Furloughs do not involve firing anyone or "trimming the fat." You are confusing furloughs and RIFs.

Right. More than likely, if your agency executes a furlough, you'll all be asked to take one unpaid day (or two) a pay-period. That could trim a lot of excess expense without having to resort to RIFs.

I know that you really hit a lot of family hard, but I would LOVE a 4 day week for a couple of months, even better if I could work 6 hours a day intead of 8.

[Anonymous]

DH is a fed and we are concerned about furloughs. I am (was) a SAHM. I start a part-time job next week. My kids are all school aged, so thankfully child care isn't an issue. I was planning on going back to work later in the year anyway. I just moved my date up a little. We would be o.k. for several months, but I wanted to be prepared in case it drags out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Furloughs do not involve firing anyone or "trimming the fat." You are confusing furloughs and RIFs.

Right. More than likely, if your agency executes a furlough, you'll all be asked to take one unpaid day (or two) a pay-period. That could trim a lot of excess expense without having to resort to RIFs.

I know that you really hit a lot of family hard, but I would LOVE a 4 day week for a couple of months, even better if I could work 6 hours a day intead of 8.

My DH has already said he's hoping for two three day weekends a month.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Furloughs do not involve firing anyone or "trimming the fat." You are confusing furloughs and RIFs.

Right. More than likely, if your agency executes a furlough, you'll all be asked to take one unpaid day (or two) a pay-period. That could trim a lot of excess expense without having to resort to RIFs.

I know that you really hit a lot of family hard, but I would LOVE a 4 day week for a couple of months, even better if I could work 6 hours a day intead of 8.

Ok, lets try this again -- I know that forloughs will hit a lot of families hard, but I would LOVE a 4 day work week for a couple of months, even better if I could work 6 hours a day intead of 8.

[Anonymous]

I wonder how long employees would be on a reduced (4 days/week) schedule -- maybe 3-4 months?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WHat do you think will happen to gov't contracts with big consulting firms like BAH and Deloitte?

It will vary contract by contract. It will all depend on if the money is already obligated and for how long. Contracts that are funded monthly will be hurting and if I were on one I'd be looking for a project that is funded longer. To not know if you're going to get funding from month to month is stressful. Many contracts are funded quarterly so they'd be able to finish out a particular quarter and after that it would depend on if they get funding and how much. They may get funding but not enough to cover everyone.

I'm currently counting my blessings that I'm transitioning to a firm fixed price contract that is fully funded for the next year. That stability means a lot, especially since I think my DH's employer (commercial construction) is getting ready to lay a lot of them off or close its doors completely.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wonder how long employees would be on a reduced (4 days/week) schedule -- maybe 3-4 months?

It's my understanding this will vary by agency. Even within agencies, it probably will vary by office. For DoD it will be April to September. But offices may be able to reduce their number of furlough days if they can come up with savings elsewhere, which is what the office I support is aiming to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Furloughs do not involve firing anyone or "trimming the fat." You are confusing furloughs and RIFs.

Right. More than likely, if your agency executes a furlough, you'll all be asked to take one unpaid day (or two) a pay-period. That could trim a lot of excess expense without having to resort to RIFs.

I know that you really hit a lot of family hard, but I would LOVE a 4 day week for a couple of months, even better if I could work 6 hours a day intead of 8.

Ok, lets try this again -- I know that forloughs will hit a lot of families hard, but I would LOVE a 4 day work week for a couple of months, even better if I could work 6 hours a day intead of 8.

Agree. That would be wonderful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it really depends on the agency and the size.

I am a FED and personally its about time they trim some of the useless "fat" out of these agencies. Especially the larger ones where people are just waiting out their retirement or completely inept and collecting a pay check because they "cannot be fired."

If people actually went in and fired some of these people who do nothing, the government could easily cut costs and help with the deficit.

Oh well....wishful thinking.

I agree completely.

It is so frustrating to watch, when the solution is so simple.

[Anonymous]

Yesterday, Obama proposed that they delay sequestration again. Basically, playing kick the can a bit further down the road.

Frankly, even as someone who might be negatively impacted by it, I just wish they stop with the temporary fixes and get the job done for real by the March deadline.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Furloughs do not involve firing anyone or "trimming the fat." You are confusing furloughs and RIFs.

Right. More than likely, if your agency executes a furlough, you'll all be asked to take one unpaid day (or two) a pay-period. That could trim a lot of excess expense without having to resort to RIFs.

I know that you really hit a lot of family hard, but I would LOVE a 4 day week for a couple of months, even better if I could work 6 hours a day intead of 8.

Ok, lets try this again -- I know that forloughs will hit a lot of families hard, but I would LOVE a 4 day work week for a couple of months, even better if I could work 6 hours a day intead of 8.

Agree. That would be wonderful.

And here lies the problem.

[Anonymous]

How do so many of you PPs know what your agency plans to do? Also, how do you know that you are working a X% of your budget?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wonder how long employees would be on a reduced (4 days/week) schedule -- maybe 3-4 months?

It's my understanding this will vary by agency. Even within agencies, it probably will vary by office. For DoD it will be April to September. But offices may be able to reduce their number of furlough days if they can come up with savings elsewhere, which is what the office I support is aiming to do.

PP -- how do you know it'll be April-Sept? Did employees get a memo?