I thought this story showed the complete lack of control the gov't has on it's employees.
And they want MORE taxes?

At least the next administration can't do worse....or could they?

It takes lots of money to look for all that lost time!

.... And Osama, WMDs, Oil, etc.

It is about time someone posted something negative about a profession other than car salesmen

Everyone knows that federal government employees are the laziest freeloaders off all!
20 million hours lost since 2001? Just the tip of the iceberg...

Remember, most gov workers work 9-3, take 2 hour lunches, do nothing while at work and don’t pay taxes.
The AWOL time mentioned is only the time caught!
Many, many more hours/days/weeks are unnoticed because the entire office is at the golf course, out fishing or at the bar.

Ok... sarcasm off (although some believe all of that true )

I really need to find out how this AWOL status works.
I have three basic statuses:
1. Annual Leave
2. Sick Leave
(this form filled out for every hour http://www.opm.gov/FORMS/PDF_FILL/opm71.pdf )
or... 3. Your a ss better be at work – you can and will be replaced

OK, there are a few unique leave statuses.
This Tuesday was a rare administrative leave day because of a tropical storm , but considering I worked +12 hours the day before, 11 hours the day after and was on telephone recall for the day off... I don’t feel guilty.

I am the first to admit that benefits and accrued leave are PDG within the government.... but this is the first time I have heard of AWOL status for gov civilians????
That problem starts (and should end with) supervisors, managers and senior leadership.
I am a supervisor and it doesn’t happen with me.

I would ask the good Senator from Oklahoma two questions:
1. What is your status when you are on a five-week senate recess?
2. Why not check in to open-ended, non-compete government contracts and the man-hours within.... never mind, I know you can’t do that.

Off my soapbox...

I think I will be smart and look up job opening with Veterans Affairs and the Treasury.
The report says they accounted for 61% of AWOL hours between 01-07.
Sign me up ( )

They only get 5 weeks off? We get most of the winter off.... ( )

And what's a "sick day?" Are hangovers excluded?

What you talking about Willis? Everyone knows gov. employees get 2 months off in the summers....have to golf and boat!

What if there was a job and nobody came?

(are they hiring, where do I sign?)

One can be put on AWOL, when the supervisor has not otherwise been notified of one's request or desire for leave, or in an unexcused absence.

AWOL hours are not paid. (The person does not get paid on AWOL)

To amplify LL.

These types of hours are typically available to an employee who has the hours accumulated, so there's no loss in pay.

Annual (Normal) Leave Hours
Sick Leave Hours (incl Family Leave)
Comp Time (a couple of different forms)
Administrative Leave
Excused Absence

Advanced Annual Leave (can be granted if you are short leave hours and need to agree to an IOU payback)
Advanced Sick Leave (same as above)

AWOL Hours are not paid

I don't know what the study is telling me other than the records show some Govt folks are ditching work, and either not notifying their supervisors, or out of the above hours. But they are not getting paid if they have been clocked as AWOL. (Govt money saved...)

Firing them is a different story, but AWOL could be a symptom of bad conduct, a basis for a case for removal....

Let's see, were in a war and the banking system is collapsing, HMM...

AWOL just means your supervisor does not know where you are. As big as the government is, that could be for a number of reasons. For example, if your job requires you to do on-site inspections, and you fail to tell someone where you are at, it can be logged as AWOL. It sounds like what is needed, is to make employees do a better job of keeping their base office informed.

Dear Boss,

I have enjoyed working here these past several years. You
have paid me very well, given me benefits beyond belief.
I have 3-4 months off per year and a pension plan that
will pay my salary till the day I die and a health plan that
most people can only dream about.

Despite this I plan to take the next 12-18 months to find a
new position.

During this time I will show up for work when it is convenient.
In addition I fully expect to draw my full salary and all the other
perks associated with my current job.

Oh yeah, if my search for this new job proves fruitless, I
will be back with no loss in pay or status. Before you say
anything, remember that you have no choice in the matter. I can
and will do this.

Sincerely,

Every Senator or Congressman running for President.


Try that at your job and tell me how it works out

Absent without leave means you don't get paid.

In the real world that is true.. but not in the gubmint world! If they don't know you're not working, who tells payroll??

Isn't that is an input on the payroll system that doesn't provide for compensation?