Additional Information on the Recent Furlough

MEMORANDUM

To:       USGS Employees

From:     Kathleen B. Rutledge
          Acting Chief, Office of Human Resources

Subject:  Additional Information on the Recent Furlough

This is a follow-up to the memorandum we sent via e-mail on January 18.  By
this time, most of you should have your Leave and Earnings Statements for Pay
Periods 9601 and 9602.  This is a reminder that you should examine these
statements carefully.  If you find any discrepancies, or if you are having
difficulty understanding the statements, please call the Payroll Hotline at
the Bureau of Reclamation in Denver.  That number is 303-969-7732.  Additional
staff is being devoted to assisting employees with questions about their pay
during the furlough period.  Please call the Payroll Hotline before you call
the USGS Payroll Coordinator, Bob Harmon.  Bob is being swamped with more
calls than he can handle, and he will not be able to assist you as quickly as
the Payroll staff in Denver.

Many of you have expressed concern about your use-or-lose leave.  The Office
of Personnel Management has advised agencies that leave lost because of the
furlough can be restored.  We are working on expedited procedures, and we will
give you instructions on what you need to do shortly.  Restored leave will be
placed in a separate leave account, and you will have 2 years to use it.
Please don't make your requests to have the leave restored until we provide
you with a form and instructions.

If you wish to respond to this memo, please direct your replies to me
(KRutledge@WPOSMTPGW.er.usgs.gov) rather than to the individual who transmits
it.  If you have questions or need clarification on an issue, I will do my
best to help you out.