Civilian personnel lose positions in FY14

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Diana M. Cossaboom
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  On May 29, two town hall meetings occurred for civilian personnel here to inform them of positions programmed to be cut from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.

"At this time, what it looks like for fiscal year 2014 is we're going to have 14 positions going away, 13 of those positions have people in them," said Suzanne Brooks, 20th Force Support Squadron civilian personnel officer.

The positions will be eliminated from the books on September 30, 2014.

"The civilian cuts are spread over the next five years and even if a position is cut, it doesn't mean the civilian employees will lose their job," said Lt. Col. Tara White, 20th Force Support Squadron commander. "Every effort will be made to avoid a Reduction in Force or mitigate the ramifications by placing people in other vacancies, where possible."

The Civilian Personnel office tries to fill positions vacated by voluntary separation or retirement with personnel facing involuntary separation.

"We also work to see if we have any vacancies we can hold so we can reassign people to those vacancies," said Brooks.

The Department of Defense has the Priority Placement Program, which all employees will be registered for if they are up for involuntary separation.

"We work it hard every single day, from the day we were told these were the cuts until the reduction in force is finalized," said Brooks.

Employees will be notified of their status by letter no less than 60 days before an action occurs.

"It's not always the person in the position that ends up going away, it's the position. If there are more positions like that on base, someone else could be displaced, and the person in the cut position will move into their job," said Brooks.

All civilian personnel, regardless of their impending status, need to update their resumes and transcripts in myPers and are encouraged to update their training courses in myBiz, both Common Access Card-enabled websites.

"Everybody has to be aware and needs to know what they need to do," said Brooks. "There are still changes being made in the positions being cut. Some of them are being swapped around," said Brooks.

The key parts to help the Civilian Personnel office find places for employees are to update resumes, transcripts, and training.

Brooks also said those who are in a position that is being cut should upload their resume to USA Jobs and send an extra copy to the Civilian Personnel office.

"If you want to be proactive, you need to be out there looking for another job just in case," said Brooks.

All Team Shaw employees who are serviced by the Civilian Personnel office have the opportunity to apply for the Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay or Voluntary Early Retirement Authority buyouts.

On June 2, a survey was released to all Shaw civilian workers concerning Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay, and Voluntary Early Retirement Authority. The survey is available through June 20.

"One of the things we do when we go through a reduction of force, is that we look for ways to place people or give them opportunities to retire or resign voluntarily versus involuntarily separated," said Brooks.

In July, employees who will tentatively be receiving incentive pay will be notified.

A person may be eligible for VSIP or VERA if they will save themselves or someone else from involuntarily separation.

Several factors determine whether or not the employee is able to obtain severance pay. For instance, employees are not eligible for severance pay if they are eligible to retire from civil service or were previously retired military.

"If you are interested in applying for the voluntary separation incentive or early retirement surveys, you need to seriously look at your situation and make an informed decision before you turn in your application," said Brooks.

For more information about VSIP, VERA and force reduction visit myPers.

"Civilian employees are integral to the mission," said White. "Beyond stability and continuity, civilian employees are often the bedrock in the organization ensuring flexibility and balance with their military teammates."