DoD reduces number of furlough days, Anniston Army Depot sets schedule

By Mrs. Jennifer Bacchus (AMC)May 24, 2013

ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel spoke to Department of Defense employees at a town hall meeting in Alexandria, Va., May 14, informing them there would be 11 nonconsecutive furlough days this fiscal year.

"I've made a decision that we'll go forward with furloughs starting July 8 of 11 days. If we can do better, as we get through the front end of this over the next few months, then we might be in a position to be able to knock that back. I can't promise that; I won't promise that," said Hagel.

Hagel said all exceptions to the furlough would be based on safety and security and would follow guidelines established by the Office of Personnel Management.

He said the various branches of the Armed Forces each made recommendations for budget cuts, but he wanted to ensure all furlough-eligible DoD employees would have the same amount of lost time, regardless of their branch of service or agency affiliation.

"No one service, no one's going to be protected more than anybody else. Budgets are different, and everybody's budget's a little different, but we're all in this together. And I can't allow this great institution that does so much for our country, with such great tradition and history, with such great people, to get picked apart inside by each other, and I won't allow that to happen," said Hagel.

According to Michael Burke, the depot's deputy to the commander, the current plan is to stay with the 5-4-9 work schedule through the pay period beginning June 30. During that pay period, only eight hours will be lost to furlough as most employees on the depot will have their first furlough day July 12.

For the next pay period, beginning July 14, depot employees will transition to a five-day work week of eight-hour days. Each Friday will be a furlough day. This will mean a total of two furlough days, 16 total hours, per pay period for five pay periods.

It is projected that the last furlough day will be Sept. 20.

Depot leadership anticipates that these unpaid leave days will have an impact on the production mission as well as on the installation workforce.

"Our workforce is the depot and our warfighters trust and expect us to continue pushing as hard as we can to produce those quality products their lives may depend on," said Col. Brent Bolander, the depot commander.

"As leaders, we understand the financial impact furloughs may have on employees and their families. If employees need assistance in developing a personal strategy to help ease the economic burden of unpaid time off, the Employee Assistance Program is available. Planning is very important whereas it helps us adapt to emergencies and situations beyond our control. As I've said before, no matter how great we become, our people will continue to be our most treasured resource."