IP: Funny & Sad (Because True) Commentary

[Dave Farber <farber () central cis upenn edu>]

Date: Tue, 23 Jan 1996 13:16:21 -0500
To: farber () central cis upenn edu
From: deyoung () rpcp mit edu (Tice DeYoung)


David,


     You and the IPers might take a moment to read this notice from a
federal agency about the furlough and unemployment claims.  I'm sure all
federal agencies told their employees about the Unemployment Benefits.
I know lots of folks applied for them in DC.  This debacle will take a
long time to straighten out.  Not to mention the mess with the
Government payroll.  When the furlough ended we supposedly got a full
paycheck, now they have to go back and figure out how much is due for
the partial paycheck.  Every agency did it differently. NASA , where I get
my paycheck from, did it rationally.  They gave me half of what
I normally take home (net), but advanced enough so that all the normal
deductions could be taken out, including loans, etc.  Others weren't so
lucky.  I heard of some who got half a paycheck (gross), but all the
normal deductions so they took home only a few dollars.  I wonder if
anyone can estimate how much this shutdown really cost?  Now I hear
they are making noises about doing it again.  Can this new crop of
legislators really be such idealogues that they can't see they are
guaranteeing their own demise in November by this type of behavior?  Don't
get me wrong, I understand the need to try to reduce the enormous federal
debt, but forcing small businesses to go bankrupt isn't exactly the way I'd
go about it.
     Now federal contractors are trying to make the feds pay at least
eomething for the lost revenue.  They may sue the Government if their
administrative actions fail to get action.  (From the Washington Post, 23
January 1996).


SIGH,
Tice


> --------------------------------------
> Date: 1/18/96 2:24 PM
>
>    The following announcement will be posted.  - Please pass on to
>    employees in your sections to make sure this vital information is
>    received.
>
>     Thanks
>     S
>     ---------------------------------------------------------------------


>    The Continuing Resolution legislation that ended the recent Federal
>    Government furlough that affected federal employees made provisions
>    to retroactively pay employees for the entire furlough period.
>
>    Therefore, those employees who filed Unemployment Benefit claims
>    during furlough are ineligible to claim unemployment benefits and
>    are instructed to do the following:
>
>    If you do receive an Unemployment Benefit check write VOID across
>    the face of the check and mail it to:
>
>     DC Department of Unemployment Services Overpayment Unit
>     500 C. St. NW, Room 529
>     Washington, DC  20001
>
>    When you receive your next mail claim form from DC Unemployment
>    answer YES to Item 6, "DID YOU RETURN TO FULL TIME WORK?" and
>    complete the reverse side of the form.  On the reverse side of the
>    form write "January 8, 1996 - Furlough Ended" in the "DATE RETURNED
>    TO FULL TIME WORK" area.
>
>    DC Department of Unemployment Services has stopped accepting claims
>    for payment due to furlough from Federal employees.
>
>    Those employees that do cash their unemployment benefits check will
>    be REQUIRED to pay back the full amount of the benefits paid and
>    will be contacted by the DC Department of Unemployment Services
>    regarding repayment of this debt.