Is now the time to talk furlough!

[Anonymous]

Stupid Fucking Congress. Maybe they can let us work and just take the next 3 months off themselves - they don't do any damn work anyway.

[Anonymous]

It's politics. Think about it. If you can cut a huge chunk of government spending in a way that people won't notice its no longer a pawn in your hand, the whole point is to make the cuts as visible as possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A friend of mine works at the Patent and Trademark agency. He said their fees are a cash cow and they are hiring at least a thousand (yes, 1k) new employees this year.

The Patent and Trademark agency doesn't use tax dollars, it is funded by its own revenue. So I doubt there was any talk of furloughs. Same with the Postal Service. No tax dollars are used to fund it, so it is not impacted by furloughs.

Anyways, I think the point of this tread is that agencies whose job it is to defend the nation and deal with terrorists, are right now starting to furlough. My guess is that if any furloughs were planned, they are now dropped.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stupid Fucking Congress. Maybe they can let us work and just take the next 3 months off themselves - they don't do any damn work anyway.

This!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A friend of mine works at the Patent and Trademark agency. He said their fees are a cash cow and they are hiring at least a thousand (yes, 1k) new employees this year.

The Patent and Trademark agency doesn't use tax dollars, it is funded by its own revenue. So I doubt there was any talk of furloughs. Same with the Postal Service. No tax dollars are used to fund it, so it is not impacted by furloughs.

Anyways, I think the point of this tread is that agencies whose job it is to defend the nation and deal with terrorists, are right now starting to furlough. My guess is that if any furloughs were planned, they are now dropped.

You're both wrong about PTO. True, no furloughs are planned. But, even though they take not a single dollar from treasury, they are being "sequestered." Look at the OMB report from March 1. It and the other "offsetting collections" agencies are included. So, PTO (and FDA and a whole host of other agencies) can't spend the full amount they collect b/c of sequestration. All so other agencies don't have to take as big of a hit. One of the many reasons sequestration is a joke.

As to the latter point, none of those positions should ever be furloughed. Today should make that abundantly clear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A friend of mine works at the Patent and Trademark agency. He said their fees are a cash cow and they are hiring at least a thousand (yes, 1k) new employees this year.

The Patent and Trademark agency doesn't use tax dollars, it is funded by its own revenue. So I doubt there was any talk of furloughs. Same with the Postal Service. No tax dollars are used to fund it, so it is not impacted by furloughs.

Anyways, I think the point of this tread is that agencies whose job it is to defend the nation and deal with terrorists, are right now starting to furlough. My guess is that if any furloughs were planned, they are now dropped.

Incorrect. They are still moving forward. We will just work in tandum to investigate. If you have a problem with it, mention to your congressional leadership.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually, it's a good point. The entire DOJ FBI, ATF is supposed to be doing furloughs this week.

I wonder how this is going to work.

Just like they knew it would. They will work whether payment is coming or not. I just want to hear from the loudmouths that think we need to be furloughed.

I was told it is illegal to work for the USG "for free".

Will staff be divided into essential and non-essential, with separate furlough schedules for each?

[Anonymous]

DH works at FBI and they have been told nothing. I doubt there will be any change in plans as a direct result of Boston.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually, it's a good point. The entire DOJ FBI, ATF is supposed to be doing furloughs this week.

I wonder how this is going to work.

Just like they knew it would. They will work whether payment is coming or not. I just want to hear from the loudmouths that think we need to be furloughed.

I was told it is illegal to work for the USG "for free".

Will staff be divided into essential and non-essential, with separate furlough schedules for each?

This is an administrative furlough (so it doesn't work like "weather" realted leave). The only people who will not be furloughed will be policitical staff. As far as I know as off last week, everyone (law enforcement, prosecutors) were on the chopping block.


You want terrorism investigated? THis is what a furlough means. The individual who is investigating on Monday, will NOT be able to share information on Tuesday. BY LAW.

Is it the FBI's fault. It's your congressional office's fault.

I love listening to Barney Frank telling me we "need to come together" - remember that when the investigation is hampered by the furloughs. Of the prosecution is slowed by furloughs.

Love always, Your Federal Goverement (home sick with child, before you chastize me for posting during the work day).

[Anonymous]

Federal employees cannot work for free--it's illegal. During shutdowns, "essential" personnel come into work, but they have to be paid retroactively when the shutdown ends. Furloughs are different--there is no "essential" personnel and no retroactive pay. Most agencies that I know of are trying to stagger furloughs so that offices remain staffed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:??

The crazies that are always here bitchin about high paid Feds need to feel the crunch. The DOJ (FBI) furlough was supposed to start this week

No such thing...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually, it's a good point. The entire DOJ FBI, ATF is supposed to be doing furloughs this week.

I wonder how this is going to work.

Just like they knew it would. They will work whether payment is coming or not. I just want to hear from the loudmouths that think we need to be furloughed.

I was told it is illegal to work for the USG "for free".

Will staff be divided into essential and non-essential, with separate furlough schedules for each?

It is... And doubtful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work for DOJ. I don't think we were starting furloughs this week. Were some components starting this week?

Numbers are expected this week, with some components starting Friday or next week depending (if needed).

Since we all had to chip in to keep BOP up and running (again, I say let the criminals out on the street - if Feds aren't needed I'm sure convicts can run free) we are recalculating.

This is false. No furloughs were starting this week. An update on possible days was expected this week- nothing so far (although every update has the days dwindling and reduced). I'm guessing ZERO days for DOJ and it's components.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work for DOJ. I don't think we were starting furloughs this week. Were some components starting this week?

Numbers are expected this week, with some components starting Friday or next week depending (if needed).

Since we all had to chip in to keep BOP up and running (again, I say let the criminals out on the street - if Feds aren't needed I'm sure convicts can run free) we are recalculating.

This is false. No furloughs were starting this week. An update on possible days was expected this week- nothing so far (although every update has the days dwindling and reduced). I'm guessing ZERO days for DOJ and it's components.

Our component was (initially) told that furloughs would start April 21st, so it seems like a final decision on this issue would need to be announced sooner rather than later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work for DOJ. I don't think we were starting furloughs this week. Were some components starting this week?

Numbers are expected this week, with some components starting Friday or next week depending (if needed).

Since we all had to chip in to keep BOP up and running (again, I say let the criminals out on the street - if Feds aren't needed I'm sure convicts can run free) we are recalculating.

This is false. No furloughs were starting this week. An update on possible days was expected this week- nothing so far (although every update has the days dwindling and reduced). I'm guessing ZERO days for DOJ and it's components.

Our component was (initially) told that furloughs would start April 21st, so it seems like a final decision on this issue would need to be announced sooner rather than later.

So are you supposed to take Monday off? What is the guidance?