By Leada Gore
al.com
(TNS)
The Social Security Administration is ending the practice of alternative work schedules for its employees.
Federal News Network was the first to report the change. On Oct. 5, Florence Felix-Laweson, the agency’s chief human capital office, said all alternative work schedules will end Nov. 16. At that time, all employees will transition to a standard five-day work week.
Currently, agency employees are able to work four 10-hour days or a 5/4/9 schedule which lets them work 9 hours a day for 9 days and take the 10th day off.
Felix-Lawson said the schedules reduce staffing and impact customer service, according to FNN.
“The American people depend on SSA to deliver on its mission every day, and that mission depends on a workforce that is present and available throughout the week. AWS, which allow employees to complete their work hours in fewer than five days, reduce staffing on the days employees are off. The cumulative effect across the agency is significant and impacts our service to the public,” Felix-Lawson wrote, according to an email obtained by Federal News Network. “Every SSA employee, whether or not they work directly with the public, is part of how we deliver on our mission. A consistent five-day workweek strengthens our ability to deliver the service the public expects.”
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The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents roughly 35,000 agency employees, filed a grievance over the change, citing a 2019 national contract. The union said a small number of employees make use of alternative schedules.
“This decision will harm public service by further depressing morale in an already overwhelmed workforce who have seen their rights and benefits disrespected by agency leadership again,” the union said in a statement. Many employees will leave, exacerbating attrition and further depleting service capacity. We demand that SSA reverse this decision.”
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