According to many feds, Uncle Sam’s use-it-or-lose-it sick leave system is a flop. Not to mention unfair! And really dumb too.

Experts say end-of-career sick leave use/abuse costs taxpayers millions each year. Why? Because lots of retirement-eligible feds suddenly, in the last year of work, develop ailments (and accompanying alibis) that were never a problem before.

The situation is this: The minority of feds, who are under the older CSRS retirement plan, have an incentive to save sick leave. It comes in very handy especially if they have an extended illness or a serious accident. Many feds have saved up more than 2,000 hours (2,080 equals a year) just in case. And if they don’t use it, those extra days, months or weeks can be credited as service time. Result: A bigger starting annuity.

The problem is this: Most feds, about two of every three people, are not under CSRS. They are under the FERS retirement plan. FERS has many good points. But it doesn’t reward federal/postal workers for saving their sick leave.

All that would change under legislation introduced by Rep. James Moran (D-Va.). We tipped you on the details last week. Bottom line is that feds under FERS would get a lump-sum taxable payment, of up to $10,000, for unused sick leave. The bill, H.R. 5573, would pro-rate the payments at 15 percent of the individual’s final hourly rate once they had banked 500 or more hours.

It’s an idea whose time has come, according to many FERS workers. Unfortunately that time isn’t this year. Congress has too much on its plate, and too little time to qualify for the clean plate club this year. Moran and backers will try again next year. But if you are planning on retiring anytime soon under the FERS system, remember it is still a use-it-or-lose-it deal.

Nearly Useless Collective Nouns

Thursday’s NUCN contributed by a fed named Stanley struck a chord with lots of readers who wanted to join the pile-on. For example, Dave O. from Great Mills, Md. said, “Stanley forgot at least one: A eyeful of Ophthalmologists.” Okay!

Another said, “I am a Soil Scientist with the USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). The informal term for a group of soil scientists is ‘clod,’ the formal term is ‘ped.’ However, we are known to our soil conservationist coworkers (the majority of NRCS employees) as either ‘a necessary evil’ or ‘the dirt guys’ (or gals).” Dirty (in a professional way) Harry.

Gary G., asks “How about A Culture of Microbiologists”? Okay, how about it?

Gridlock & Teleworking

Earlier this week we talked about teleworking as a way to improve productivity, reduce commuting time and fight gridlock. The column listed the cities, many of them in California, with the worst traffic. To which Tommie M., says “I can’t believe Las Vegas, NV., didn’t make that list. 24/7… Takes me 35 minutes to go 7 miles to work at the Government Center.”

Attn: Comcast Users

We’re having issues with Comcast. Many of you who use that service who normally get my daily e-mail alert haven’t been receiving it. Rest assured some of WFED and Bonneville’s greatest scientific minds are working on the problem. We hope to get it fixed ASAP. Meantime, thanks for your patience.

Nearly Useless Factoid

The Hotwire Travel Value Index is out for the top ten U.S. places for value vacations this year. Phoenix is number one, and Washington D.C. is up to number 7 after last year’s 10th place finish. Why this is nearly useless: you’re probably saving up your leave for retirement. At least you can enjoy where you are.

To reach me: mcausey@federalnewsradio.com

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