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NRC wants permission for employee buyouts

The agency joins a growing list of federal departments trying to reduce its workforce as budgets tighten.

Federal News Network Staff

June 22, 2011 8:13 pm

1 min read

By Jason Miller
Executive Editor
Federal News Radio

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is joining a growing list of agencies that are asking the Office of Personnel Management for permission to offer buyouts or early retirements to their employees. NRC spokesman Scott Burnell said there is no timetable or specifics he could share. But he did confirm a Federal Times report that buyouts are in the offing.

In an interview with NRC chief human capital officer Miriam Cohen, the Federal Times reported NRC will ask OPM for permission to buyout about 50 employees.

The potential buyouts at NRC are part of a growing concern among agencies for how to deal with the impending budget cuts.

In February, NRC requested a fiscal 2012 budget of just more than $1 billion, a $28.7 million decrease over its 2010 enacted budget. But NRC, like most agencies, expects a further reduction once Congress passes its budget. The House Appropriations Committee approved just more than $1 billion for 2012, but less than the President’s request.

NRC joins several other agencies, including the Government Printing Office, the Agriculture Department, the Federal Trade Commission, the Postal Service and the Smithsonian Institution, in either asking for permission or planning for buyouts to reduce their workforce.

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