4/17/2013 – WASHINGTON (AFNS) — In a continuing effort to meet the Department of Defense funding targets in the FY12 President’s Budget and re-balance the civilian workforce, approximately 60 Air Force installations will implement civilian Reduction in Force authorities effective through about Aug. 23, to assist in the placement of employees not assigned against funded positions (termed “surplus employees”).
These actions started in FY12 and are not related to the current sequestration actions.
To meet the funding targets in the FY12 President’s Budget, the Air Force was required to reduce more than 16,000 civilian positions. The Air Force was able to successfully reduce approximately 15,000 positions minimizing adverse impact to civilian personnel, but now needs to use RIF authorities, which will provide options to help place most of the remaining civilians on unfunded positions.
RIF procedures allow greater flexibilities for employees to be placed at their installations and still retain their grade or pay. In addition, the use of RIF procedures allows for eligible employees who cannot immediately be placed in local vacancies to be registered in the Priority Placement Program (PPP).
“Voluntary efforts to balance the civilian workforce in FY12 have gotten us significantly closer to funded levels, but we still have a way to go in placing the number of surplus employees to funded vacancies, and RIF authorities will enable us to achieve that goal,” said Brig. Gen. Gina Grosso, the director of force management policy for the Air Force. “The Air Force recognizes and strives to balance the invaluable contributions of our civilian workforce with the fiscal realities under which the Department of Defense and the government as a whole are operating. We continue to focus on minimizing the impact on our current civilian workforce and their families.”
As the Air Force continues to shape the work force, starting the RIF procedures will provide installations greater flexibilities to further realign and rebalance the civilian force.
“Usually a reduction in force has negative perception, but the use of RIF procedures will allow many employees to be retained and continue employment with the Air Force,” Grosso said. “We want to assure everyone involved with this process that we remain committed to minimizing the impacts during these times of transition.”
The processes available use reduction in force procedures to determine employee placement rights into vacancies as well as provide the flexibility to waive qualifications to create more placement options.
RIF implementation is separate from current sequestration actions.
For information about civilian employment, reduction in force and other personnel issues, visit the Air Force Personnel Service website at https://mypers.af.mil.