MANDATORY USE OF CREDIT CARD LAW AND SUSPENDED/CANCELLED CARDS

                 
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                 Subject: MANDATORY USE OF CREDIT CARD LAW AND SUSPENDED/CANCELLED CARDS

A/O's:

As most of you know the mandatory use of credit card change became 
effective March 1, 2000.  There will be a memo shortly from Barb Ryan with 
complete information on what this means to the employee, supervisor, and 
reviewing officer.  But in the meantime, I wanted to get out the 
information on what you should do with employees who have had their card 
suspended or cancelled.  Up to this time, many personnel offices had a 
different view than what was stated in Instructional Memorandum No. OPS 
2000-01 which prohibited employees from traveling when their card was 
suspended or chanced.

Hopefully, this will clarify this issue.  The "new" policy is this:

"Employees should not be prohibited from traveling because their charge 
card account is delinquent.  However, if their delinquency is so severe 
that their charge card is suspended or canceled, then they must travel on 
their own funds.  These employees are not eligible for travel advances.  
If an employee cannot or will not travel under these conditions then you 
may have an employee conduct or performance issue and should conslult your 
servicing personnel office for advice.

You (supervisor/approving official) still have the responsibity to counsel 
your employees about their charge card delinquencies.  You also have the 
option to take progressively severe disciplinary action."

I couple of other points that you may want to consider when dealing with 
program:
 
 --USGS is now running a Top 100 Delinquency list and Barb Ryan's office 
is asking for input on what disciplinary action has been taken for these 
employees.

 --This new law also allows for garnishment of wages and processing fees 
for employees who are delinquent on their charge card accounts.

If you need further information, please don't hesitate to contact me @ 
703-648-5036.

Vicki