NASA ARC Internal Memo: Informal Notice of Employee Furlough Status – Non Excepted
Subject: Informal Notice of Employee Furlough Status – Non Excepted
From: ARC-HR
Date: 2018-01-19
Annual funding for the Government will expire at midnight on January 19, 2018. In the event no further agreement is reached to fund Federal agencies, Federal departments and agencies will not be permitted to incur further financial obligations performing activities funded by annual appropriations, except those related to the orderly suspension of operations or performance of excepted activities. This means that employees who do not perform activities excepted by law will be furloughed and unable to work.
Our contingency plan assumes that International Space Station (ISS) activities will continue to protect the lives of the crew members on orbit and the safety and security of the ISS. Existing satellite missions in operation also will continue to protect the satellites and the data being collected. In addition, other activities involving protection of life and property will continue. All other Agency activities not determined to be legally exempt will stop.
NASA has worked to determine which employees would continue to report to work in the event of a lapse in funding (i.e., excepted) and which employees would be placed on furlough (i.e., non-excepted). The identification of excepted activities/employees and whether or not you are furloughed is not a reflection on the quality of your work, nor is it an indication of your importance to our Agency. Exception status is merely a reflection of the legal requirements under which we must operate should a furlough occur.
Our contingency planning for the potential funding lapse includes legal determination of which Agency functions are excepted from a furlough. We have determined which of our activities may continue under these legal requirements.
All NASA employees, unless individually informed otherwise by your supervisor(s), are designated as non-excepted. This means that, if funding lapses, you will be furloughed. These determinations may change over time as circumstances evolve, and if your status changes, you will be contacted.
We will continue to update you as more information becomes available. Employees are to report to work the morning of Monday January 22, 2018 and will receive further guidance if no funding resolution has been achieved by then.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has posted information in the “Guidance for Shutdown Furloughs” on their Pay & Leave Furlough Guidance page to answer your questions about furlough. You may access the information at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/furlough-guidance and then click the “Shutdown Furlough” tab. NASA has posted Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the NASA Operating Status and Furlough Information Page. It is located at https://nasapeople.nasa.gov/shutdown/shutdown.htm.
If you have any questions, please contact Joy Murphy, Acting Director, Human Capital and Education Directorate at x4-3415 or joy.murphy@nasa.gov
