DSHS Furlough Day Relief!

At long last and after a great deal of hard work, DSHS members will have relief from furlough days. Our DSHS workers took the largest number of furlough days of any agency in order to save services to the public and to maintain a capable and efficient workforce. I am very happy to announce that DSHS and the Office of Financial Management have approved our request to end temporary layoff days.

This relief applies to both the ESSB 6503 temporary layoffs and the department-initiated Extended and Expanded Temporary Layoff (or non-ESSB 6503 Temporary Layoff). Represented workers will not be taking the scheduled June temporary layoff day. Workers subject to temporary layoff under the DSHS- initiated plan and who have contributed the equivalent of seven or more days, will not be required to take additional time.

Represented workers will receive official notification rescinding temporary layoff. DSHS states that notification letters are being prepared and will be distributed as quickly as possible. Each letter will specify what time period the temporary layoff is rescinded. Be careful to get supervisory approval before you make any changes to your schedule or attempt to cancel any furlough days.

The official announcement is due out this afternoon! Watch for it!