This time last year, thousands of feds were wondering if they were going to get the day off on the Friday following Thanksgiving.

The White House decided not to grant the day off, but more than 60,000 employees of the Social Security Administration did get a four-day week as a thank-you from the boss.

But a lot has changed over the past year.

This time last year — October and November 2010 — Federal News Radio was flooded with emails from feds asking of the day after Thanksgiving would also be a holiday. They had high hopes.

This year, guess what. Not one single email (at least to me) on the subject. Nobody asked because, I guess, they figured that things are so bad — can you say supercommittee? — people didn’t even bother.

So if you are working today it either means you have a very important job, have a miserable home-life, are escaping from visiting in-laws or decided a quiet day at the office could be very productive. Either way, Happy Friday!

For Your Benefit

On Monday’s For Your Benefit, join hosts Bob Leins and John Elliott as they explore Federal Employee Health Benefits questions with heath insurance expert Walt Francis. The program airs at 10:00 a.m. Monday If you can’t listen to the live broadcast, the program will be archived at www.nitpinc.com.

NEARLY USELESS FACTOID

By Jack Moore
Federal News Radio

You’ve probably eaten, heard and thought enough about turkey already. But here’s one more little tidbit for you. Did you know turkeys (mostly only the wild ones) can actually fly. According to Life’s Little Mysteries, wild turkeys can fly at short bursts of as much as 55 mph.

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