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                         February 6, 2004

Keep asking those RIF questions

Story and photos by Jim Fox
Assistant Editor  

The Jan. 21 announcement of the initial decision in favor of the Directorate of Information Management’s most efficient organization also signaled the beginning of hiring controls at West Point .

West Point Human Resources Officer Carol McQuinn said hiring limits are in place for GS-12 and below and equivalent wage grade positions.

Activities with vacancies inappropriate for reduction in force placement can seek exceptions. We usually fill positions like Title 10 faculty and medical professionals from outside the current West Point workforce, she explained, so those vacancies would be free from hiring limits.

McQuinn said she expects employees to start receiving reduction in force letters on or around July 9. It is not simple subtraction that will shift 109 DOIM employees, as of Jan. 30, into the 88 MEO positions, she explained.

“More than 21 employees could be affected,” McQuinn said. “The new structure is different from the current DOIM organization. To make the transition we will have to use RIF procedures.

 “We will make all efforts to be able to place everyone,” she added.

West Point Director of Information Management Lt. Col. William Philbrick echoed that sentiment.

“My feeling is that I don’t see anyone getting fired,” he said.

McQuinn said a RIF could affect employees post-wide and is advising everyone to ensure their personnel information -- including evaluations -- is current.

One way West Point may be able to avoid involuntarily separating any employees is by using separation incentives. Last month, the Department of the Army approved installations to use Voluntary Early Retirement Authority and Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay.

“I will look at VERA and VSIP as a means to avoid involuntary separation,” McQuinn said, after prefacing the statement that she still needs to fully analyze the current and new DOIM structure to decide if that avenue is needed.

As these changes reveal themselves, DOIM employees have begun preparing. Photographer Andrea Oriol said she is trying to keep her choices open.

“I’ve updated my official personnel file and visited USAJOBS to see if there is anything else in photography,” the six-year employee said. Some of her options even included looking into possibly working for the Navy on the west coast.

As a precaution, Oriol is taking nursing classes at night. That way, she said, she could slip back into the medical world she left when she went to work at DOIM.

“I love my job,” she added. “I’d like to stay here if I could.”

Meanwhile, Dave Skoglund, who crafts exhibits and displays for community members across the installation, has a decidedly “wait and see” attitude.

The veteran display and model maker is currently working on a display for the Dean’s area. He said he hasn’t given his choices much thought -- yet.

“At some point I will make that leap to start to consider moving out of here,” Skoglund said. “I like it here. I love what I do and I want to stay here, but I have to protect myself and my family.”

Whatever your outlook on the process, McQuinn said, it’s important to keep asking questions.

“We will update information as things change,” she said.

Employees can direct RIF questions by e-mail to Carol.McQuinn@usma.edu or by phone to 938-3943. RIF information is also available online at www.usma.edu/cpac.

Philbrick said he is thankful for the great work McQuinn and the CPAC team is doing for his employees.

“Carol has done a fantastic job throughout this process,” the DOIM director said. “I feel confident with her taking care of DOIM people.”