Federal Daily - September 16, 2008

Hoyer Renews, Clarifies 4-Day Workweek Proposal

House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., renewed his call for the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to study a proposal to transition more federal employees to a four-day, 10-hour work week to conserve gasoline and reduce congestion. Hoyer sent a new letter to OPM Sept. 12 after he said the agency misinterpreted his original proposal. Hoyer noted that he was not suggesting that all federal workers be eligible for the four-day week, but that up to 20 percent of the federal workforce easily could be transitioned to a compressed schedule. Hoyer pointed out that governments in Utah, New Mexico, Virginia and Hawaii all have implemented variations of a compressed work week, with Utah taking the most dramatic step and closing state offices on Fridays. Hoyer said he was not advocating a Utah-style plan for federal agencies, many of which cannot close one day a week. But he pointed out that with today’s technology, many employees can perform at least some of their work functions from their homes or from alternate worksites closer to their homes, eliminating or reducing the need to commute. “With increasing gas prices, this is a good time to increase the use of telework and alternative work schedules,” Hoyer said. To see more, go to: http://hoyer.house.gov/Newsroom/index.asp?ID=
1235&DocumentType=Press+Release.

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OPM Extends Use of Toll-Free Hurricane Hotline

In the wake of Hurricane Ike, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced it was activating its toll-free assistance hotline number (800-307-8298) for federal employees and retirees living along the southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana coasts pounded by the weekend storm. The toll-free number will enable callers to leave their numbers for a call-back within a short time, or to talk with a live operator if they need immediate assistance. The hotline offers information on emergency leave and pay flexibilities, as well as benefits, OPM said in a Sept. 12 statement. Two million people were without power in Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana after the storm moved through. Federal employees with access to the Internet can receive updated information on benefits, flexibilities and payroll at www.opm.gov/hurricane/index.asp. The site provides links to weather forecasts, general resources and announcements, the Federal Emergency Management Agency Web site, and is continually updated with news and information. To see more, go to: www.opm.gov/news/opm-extends-use-of-tollfree-hotline-18003078298-to-assist-federal-employees-and-retirees-impacted-by-hurricane-ike,1432.aspx.

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VA to Open 10 New Rural Outreach Clinics

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced Sept. 12 that it is in the process of opening 10 new rural outreach clinics over the next 12 months in an effort to enhance delivery of services to veterans living in rural areas. The clinics will provide primary care services, case management and mental health services, VA said in a statement. Each outreach clinic will be part of a VA network and will be able to direct veterans to larger VA facilities for specialized needs. The new clinics include a facility recently put into operation in Aroostook County, Maine. Facilities scheduled to begin operation this October are in: Houston County, Ga.; Juneau County, Alaska; and Wasco County, Ore. Clinics to be operational by August 2009 are in: Winnemucca, Nev.; Yreka, Calif.; Utuado, P.R.; Lagrange, Texas; Montezuma Creek, Utah; and Manistique, Mich. To see more, go to: http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1567.

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