Spangdahlem to feel the effects of civilian furlough Published June 5, 2013 By Tech. Sgt. Kenya Shiloh 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- In response to the Budget Control Act passed in 2011 to help alleviate the debt-ceiling crisis, Department of Defense civilians worldwide will be subject to furlough beginning July 8, 2013. A furlough is when a civilian employee is involuntarily placed in temporary non-duty, no-pay status. In this case, up to 800,000 DoD civilians must take 11 days of unpaid leave before Sept. 30, 2013. "What will happen is that civilians will be working eight hours less a week," said Wendy Joramo-Carter, 52nd Force Support Squadron human resources officer. "Now, one day a week the civilian will not be at work and will not get paid eight hours." According to Joramo-Carter, DoD civilians world-wide are taking a 20 percent reduction in pay for the 11 weeks they are in furlough. This is supposed to help save nearly $1.8 billion. In a letter to U.S. Air Force civilian employees, Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III acknowledged the significance civilian furlough has on the Air Force as a whole. "None of us are happy to be in this position," they stated. "Implementing a furlough is an ugly task that will adversely affect our civilian Airmen and the vital missions they carry out every day. We recognize and regret the hardships this will create for you and your families, but the budget choices that we have faced during this extraordinary year have forced a long series of painful decisions." Sabers will feel the impact furlough will have on base services since Spangdahlem has more than 225 civilian employees working on base. However, there are some civilians exempted from furlough. For example, civilians who work in childcare, safety and 24-hour patient care medical facilities are exempt from the furlough. Additionally, host-nation, non-appropriated fund and civilians on deployment status are also exempt. "Any office that is staffed primarily by U.S. appropriated funds employees will see a delay in services," Joramo-Carter said. "That will impact the wing because we'll have one less person there one day a week to meet mission requirements, serve customers and do whatever needs to be done." As of now, on Spangdahlem, furlough days are subject to the supervisor's discretion and mission requirements. Employees may request a specific furlough schedule; however, employees cannot take furlough days for personal convenience. A civilian's leave accrual, security clearance, and Thrift Savings Plan contributions may also be impacted by furlough. Despite these areas, a civilian's post allowance, living quarters allowance and Federal Employees Health Benefits will not be impacted. Civilians can also seek other employment as long as it does not exceed 40 hours of compensation per week by another federal entity, does not violate standards of ethical conduct or pose a conflict of interest and is approved by a supervisor. "We recognize that this is difficult for employees," Joramo-Carter said. "We will do our best to keep people informed as we get information. Keep in mind that the Airman and Family Readiness Center has some great resources for people to use. Employees should work with their supervisors and please contact us if you have questions." For more information on civilian furlough, contact the civilian personnel office at 452-6080.