Relief in sight for furloughed civilians Published Aug. 7, 2013 By Tech. Sgt. Jared Whitecar 17TH Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Defense Department civilian employees affected by furlough enacted on July 8 are breathing easier. Through a combination of Congressional approvals and departmental budget management efforts, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagle has directed the reduction of civilian furloughs in the military from 11 days, 88 hours, to six days, 48 hours. Announced May 14 and enacted July 8, the furlough meant that civilian employees would face a weekly unpaid day off from work in order to reduce the $11 billion budget shortfall faced in early May. Hoping to reduce furloughs, DoD leaders submitted a large reprogramming request in mid-May that was approved this July. The request allows flexibility in moving funds from acquisitions accounts into day-to-day operating accounts. "The military services aggressive approach to identify ways to hold down costs has shifted savings (including furlough savings) to meet our highest priority needs", said Hagle. For Goodfellow, this means that the 625 civil service members affected by furlough will return to a full work week. Assuming that the majority of employees were furloughed one day per week beginning the week of July 8. This reduction in the number of furlough days will mean that most employees will have achieved 48 hours of furlough by August 17. However, all civilian employees, unless exempted from furloughs or governed by special rules, must complete six days, 48 hours of furlough. If they have not accomplished this by August 17, they must do so in a timely manner and before the end of this fiscal year.
