ANAD Commander updates workforce on depot staffing, workload

By Mrs. Jennifer Bacchus (AMC)June 19, 2014

ANAD Commander updates workforce on depot staffing, workload
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Anniston Army Depot Commander Col. Brent Bolander held a town hall meeting broadcast live from the training building June 11.

During the meeting, Bolander discussed hiring, the depot's workload, safety and many other topics.

He encouraged employees whose questions were not completely answered during the session to utilize their chain of command to seek answers or the Commander's Hotline button on the Intranet, which is available if the employee does not believe the issue is being addressed in the proper manner.

HIRING

Bolander said the depot is still constrained in its ability to hire. The hiring freeze is no longer completely in effect, but hiring decisions must be made at the TACOM Life Cycle Management Command or Army Materiel Command level.

"When you hear there is a hiring freeze and no one is being hired, that isn't necessarily true, but the box isn't wide open," said Bolander. "I have to go up through my chain of command for hiring decisions."

In the past year, the depot has been about to hire more than 300 temporary employees and additional temporary positions are in the process of being filled.

Bolander said he has requested through TACOM to be able to retain, for another year, the first 71 term employees who were hired, but has not received an answer yet.

[Editor's note: At the time of printing, approval to extend the 71 term employees for a year has been granted.]

He acknowledged personnel shortages throughout the installation often mean employees are fulfilling additional duties.

"This means some of you are doing a little more than you used to," said Bolander. "I thank the folks who continue to pick up the pieces and move forward because it is the right thing to do."

WORKLOAD

Workload, according to the commander, has stabilized for the remainder of fiscal year 2014, which ends Sept. 30.

During the next fiscal year, Bolander anticipates a lower amount of work for the installation.

"Right now, we are at about three million direct labor hours," said Bolander. "Next year, right now, it is programmed for 2.6 million direct labor hours."

Bolander said he didn't know whether the reduction in work would mean less people or less overtime, but the effect on the workforce is being discussed by the leadership.

CLIMATE SURVEY

An Organizational/Command Climate Survey was

recently held online and 17 percent of the depot's workforce participated.

"For the 17 percent who took the time, good on you," said Bolander. "For those who didn't, I can't understand where the challenges are or where we are doing well if you don't tell me."

The commander said he and the other depot leaders are reviewing the survey results to see what changes can and should be made to improve the work environment. The biggest issue arising so far in the analysis is communication.

"Communication is really a two-way process. It isn't just the speaking aspect. It is the receiving aspect as well," said Bolander. "The better communicators are those who listen."

He asked employees to take the time to fully communicate with each other -- discuss issues and find ways to create a better work environment.

SAFTEY

"Safety continues to be a challenge for us and I think it has been a challenge since the beginning -- about 72 years ago," said Bolander.

He encouraged each employee to focus on safety each day, not only for their own sake, but their coworkers as well.

"The only way we can ensure everyone who comes to work leaves work in the same manner is if everyone in the organization is doing something to ensure that takes place," said Bolander.

Each employee should be aware of hazards around them and should know whether or not the proper safety equipment is in use in the shop and by their coworkers.

Bolander gave examples of ways employees could make a difference themselves, such as pushing a piece of equipment instead of pulling it and using a partner or a hoist to lift a heavy part.

"I ask you again to look at what you are doing to make a difference," he said.

GROUP AWARD PAYOUT PROGRAM

If the installation has met or exceeded certain metrics and funding is available, a Group Award Payout, or GAP, may occur for eligible recipients.

In order for this to happen in fiscal year 2014, five metrics must be met or exceeded. They are: productive yield, performance to promise, quality efficiencies, safety efficiencies and inventory management.

"The key is that we come to work and we work," said Bolander, stressing that the installation must continue to keep its promise to customers of having products on time and to standard.

LMP

The Logistics Management Program was instituted at ANAD in 2010. Since that time, the impact it has on the workforce has grown. Bolander said employees should expect LMP to eventually affect every employee on the installation.

SHARP

Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention has become a focus for the Army. Depot employees have been trained to identify incidents of sexual harassment and to know signs to look for in their coworkers.

The intent of this training, according to Bolander, is to make everyone understand how to treat each other with respect and to understand what behavior is allowed and what is not.

"I ask that we continue to have respect for one another," said Bolander.

UPCOMING EVENTS

The installation will soon be home to additional uniformed personnel. With the retirement of Depot Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Marcon, a new sergeant major has been chosen and will join the depot's ranks this summer.

Also this year, two chief warrant officers will be assigned to the depot.

"Our Army is working through ways to continue to educate leaders. This is another way to do that," said Bolander.

Chief warrant officers are technical experts in the Army and individuals within the warrant officer ranks are being selected to learn how depots work in order to share that knowledge with their fellow Soldiers.

Also this summer, the installation will hold its Employee Appreciation Day. The event, which will follow a morning safety stand down, begins at noon on July 24 at Capron Field.

Various contests for employees to showcase their talents and abilities are planned and all depot employees are encouraged to participate.

QUESTION SESSION

Questions following the town hall meeting included such topics as safety and environmental conditions in the shops, which Bolander assured employees would be addressed by the appropriate personnel.

Additionally, an employee asked about converting term employees to permanent positions. Bolander said this was always a possibility whenever there is an appropriate permanent opening to be filled.

In response to another query, the commander addressed the issue of the Voluntary Early Retirement Authority and Voluntary Separation Incentive Program. He said he does not anticipate offering VERA/VSIP during the next fiscal year.