SAVE Award 2011 Ideas

Too many people claim their overtime is needed to complete their job. I know for a fact that a lot of people are just padding their paychecks especially now that a pay freeze in effect. They'll claim that have to have it, but in reality they don't.

To my surprise a government employee can call in sick on Monday, work a double on Tuesday and collect overtime for that shift even though his total number of actual work hours is only 40. I know that this will be met with great resistance, but the amount of money and time used astonishes me. At the same time to cover that sick shift someone else will get overtime?
It should be made policy that overtime will NOT be paid... more »

Similar to rollover budget and end of year spending.

Every year with about 2-3 months left in the fiscal year, not just my Field Office, but I'm sure every agency within the U.S. Government spends the rest of their budget, out of fear of not getting the same amount or more money the following year, and I'm sure as a way to justify asking for more funding. Field Offices should be able to spend what they need to complete... more »

Millions saved by allowing students who are employed by the Fed to repay studen loans by working Overtime/COMP and Credit Hours to repay these loans. Employees could also work on road crews for Fed Hwy systems and clean rivers and other Fed backed projects that would have the ability to repay studen government loans. Method to directly pay into a individuals student loans by selected agencies would be extremely cost... more »

We have begun to reduce overtime costs by allowing the part-time personnel to stay a few hours late after their shift to cover someone out ill, or a heavy rush of work. This allows them some extra hours, but eliminates the OT portion. Also, we should not allow OT for someone who did not work their full work week. Say they took sick/vacation on Wednesday and then were asked to work OT on Thursday, it should not be OT... more »

By replacing full-time positions with part-time workers ( 2 part time = 1 full time, or to reduce the size of the workforce 3 part time = 2 full time) we can provide a workforce that is better equipped to handle varying task loads. For example, part time workers that work 20 hrs/week normally could flex up to 30 when necessary (e.g., when other workers are out on medical leave or when the office workload increases) without... more »

Instead of making cuts where it hurts at the prisons, the cuts need to be made at the central and regional offices. When you cut staff at the prison it creates overtime and is a safety factor for both inmates and staff. By making cuts at the top you save more by not having to fill the spots with overtime at time and a half pay. Also by cutting jobs at the central and regional offices you would cut the costs on their... more »

My unit requires nurses to work shifts with a specific off tour. I feel the way the department schedules nurses results in many many sick calls, and increases the amount of overtime the VA pays out. For example, our unit will schedule you during the day, but then have to "double back" into a night shift 8 hours later. Or work a pm shift ending at midnight, and have to be back at 730 am. The type of work we do is demanding,... more »

Outreach is a wonderful thing, and the people I know who do it are extremely dedicated and hard-working; they truly care about the people to whom they are reaching out, and they regularly go "above and beyond" to seek out every person who might be eligible to receive government benefits.

However, the number of existing claims is so huge that claims processors are swamped, and large backlogs keep growing larger.

Is it... more »

Why are we paying staff overtime for events and functions? They should leave work early one or two days that week so they when working at the event they will not go over 40 hours. It means a reduction in their primary job responsibilities, but aren't we responsible to cut spending? Overtime shouldn't be a right, and only given when neccesary.

We should not have overtime for any government agency for ONE FISCAL YEAR. Every employee should be capable of performing their duties within an 8 to 10 hour work schedule or their NORMAL work hours. Each employee should manage their time effectively to avoid overtime hours/pay. Time Management is essential. Exceptions, emergency personnel only.

All employees GS-12 and above should be given a pay rise of 10% and all overtime should be eliminated for these employees. The average GS 12 or above earns $89,440 pa. and can earn $16,125 in overtime. If we pay 10% more to all those employees the pay will rise to $98,384. After counting 20% overheads, the government can save $4,747 per employee. The difference is not $7181, because the increased salary will partly offset... more »