final results on furlough pay difference

Ok, this looks MUCH better than it really is… the previous pay period was the FIRST week of furlough, so had ONE day missing and I lost $150, this pay period was another $150.  It really is right on target with the furlough calculator.  So – all in all, I have to say, for two days off a pay period, I simply will NOT complain!!

first pay period with furlough

Now keep in mind this is with ONE day off my pay.

DANG I get paid well for 8 hours of work, eh?

So – looks as though the calculators will be right on the money (no pun intended) and I’ll see about a $300 pay difference due to the furlough.

 

Good thing we’re not strapped and living paycheck to paycheck.  For that I’m truly grateful.  I’m also grateful that we have two incomes and only have utilities to contend with.  Those we can deal with.

 

Discussions today are centered on community service today and furlough.

60,000 a week are being furloughed.  Now that’s JUST in my town.  Think about those hours being put to community service in all communities with furloughed people… what a difference that would make, eh?  Hum… I guess I will think harder on that.  I do have goals for my time for the first week or two of furlough – week one was a success of drinkin’ and floatin’ in the pool… check – that was done!  This week is a trip to the mountains – check – packed and ready to GO.  Week Three I have plans to clean out my scrapbook room a bit more and get the Dubai book done and start on the Europe one for Liz (and one for me too).  So… that leaves about 9 more weeks to really think about community service. 

The reality of Sequestrations

Here is the bottom line for ME for the sequestration:

Estimated LOSS of income per pay period: $338.20

Estimated GAIN in annual leave: 6.4        (*yes this is gain as I won't have to use leave on those days I had scheduled for leave)

Estimated LOSS in sick leave: 8.8             (*if they truly dock by 20% on all leave earned in a pay period)

 

Doable?  Yep… doable.

Estimated GAIN:              Time off to visit with mom and dad

Time off with the kids when they are on summer break

Time off to get some stuff done around the house that is long overdue

Time off to float in the pool one more day on a long weekend… bring it on!!!

What do I see in MY future?

If the civilian workforce is furloughed:

* Furlough duration: First, enacting civilian unpaid furloughs is
a measure of last resort. If it does occur, the most likely option is
one day per week for the last 22 weeks of the fiscal year (late April
through September) for a total of 22 work days (176 hours). One day per
week (eight hours) equals a 20 percent reduction in pay for each
individual DOD civilian worker during the furlough period.

* Notification: If furloughs occur, the workforce will be notified
by management at least 30 days prior to the initial furlough. OPM will
decide which days personnel will be furloughed.

* Exemptions: If sequestration occurs, most civilians will be
furloughed with few exceptions: (1) those deployed in a combat zone, (2)
those who protect the safety of life or property to the extent needed,
(3) non-appropriated fund employees (NAF), (4) those exempt by law who
hold a presidential appointment with Senate confirmation, (5) foreign
nationals and (6) those exempted as approved by a 2-star flag officer or
higher.

* Leave: Furlough time off is treated like regular leave without
pay for leave accrual and benefit purposes. When employees are in a
non-pay status (like a furlough) their retirement deductions are
adjusted in proportion to their basic pay.

* Thrift Savings Plan: Regarding the Thrift Savings Plan,
employees who have selected their TSP contribution to be a percentage of
their pay will see smaller contributions during the furlough period due
to their reduced pay. Employees who have selected a fixed amount for
their TSP contribution will see the same amount deducted during the
furlough period.

* Financial hardships: We understand furloughs may result in
unexpected financial difficulty for civilian personnel and their
families, but financial difficulties are not grounds for a supervisor to
waive an employee's furlough. Employees should start planning
immediately for reduced paychecks beginning in April.

* Healthcare: The Government's portion of the healthcare premiums
will be paid in full and on time, and benefits will continue for
furloughed employees. See the OPM website at www.opm.gov for more
information.

* Outside employment: While on furlough, individuals remain
employed by the Federal Government; therefore, standards of ethical
conduct and rules regarding outside employment are applicable. Before
engaging in outside employment, employees should consult their agency
ethics official.

There is still an opportunity for Congress to pass a balanced
deficit-reduction plan that the President can sign and sequestration is
truly averted (not just delayed). Not only is the current situation
devastating to our personnel, we know that furloughs will substantially
harm our ability to reset and restore the force's full-spectrum combat
capability after over a decade of hard fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.


Through it all, we must ensure our long term viability in defense of
this nation, which means we have to retain focus on speed, safety and
quality. We want to ensure we don't lose the gains you've made as a
Center. If we lose our competitive edge, it could lead to longer term
impacts than what are initially posed by sequestration. It is vital we
sustain our priority on the mission as we continue to seek new
workloads and support the warfighter.