Unemployment compensation during Government Shutdown Date: Thu, 16 Nov 1995 22:29:18 GMT To: "A - Division Chief and Staff", "B - Branch Chiefs and Offices", "DC - All District Chiefs" From: "Robert M Hirsch, Chief Hydrologist, Reston, VA" (Robert M. Hirsch) Subject: Policy Council Cc: "Bruce K Gilbert, DACH/Operations, Reston, VA" , "Robert R Mason Jr., Hydrologist(Engr), Reston, VA" , "Ernest F Hubbard, Assistant Chief, OSW, Reston, VA" , "Gail E Kalen, Computer Specialist, Reston, VA" , "Brian R Mrazik, District Chief, Bow, NH" One of the questions that I raised in Policy Council is that of unemployment compensation. Specifically, is there some particular guidance we should be giving our employees as to whether they should file at this time on the chance that they will not get paid or that they will get paid late? Kathy Rutledge (Acting Personnel Officer of the USGS) had done some investigating. Our answer is this. Every State has a different system. In some cases if you don't file in the week that you are not working you can never get paid for that week. In other cases you can file after the fact. Each of you are in a better position than we are here to determine what to tell people to do. Getting registered for unemployment compensation is a form of protection in the event that we end up with some time unpaid or having payment delayed. People should not worry about the check that is due on November 23 - they worked the full pay period and this check should come through OK. Kathy Rutledge will look into the process for the pay period we are now in, during which there has only been one authorized work day (11/13/95). I should have information on that by Monday. The news media locally continues to say that the Congressional leadership has pledged that they will restore pay for all employees but this can't be viewed as certain and the timing is still in question. Gordie Eaton had a meeting with Secretary Babbitt today and the Secretary said he did not think we would be at work Monday but that he did think that things would be resolved before Thanksgiving. I don't think that his statement is based on any inside knowledge but does represent the prognostication of an experienced politician who knows some of the key players in the battle. I will be back in the office Friday and will try to give you more insight on the issue of why we cannot work on OFA funding or unmatched Coop. I know that this is an issue that many of you are particularly concerned about. Have a good evening. Bob ********************************************************** * Robert M. Hirsch Phone: 703/648-5215 * * Chief Hydrologist Fax: 703/648-5002 * * 409 National Center Internet: rhirsch@usgs.gov * * U.S. Geological Survey * * Reston, VA 22092 * **********************************************************