Offices often have standing committees such as Human Resource Development, Safety, Computer, Wellness, and Welfare. Check with your supervisor for information on committees in your office.

Combined Federal Campaign   [Top of Page]

The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) is a once a year charitable solicitation among federal civilian and military employees.  Any health or welfare agency that is organized, qualified, and recognized by the Internal Revenue Service under 26 U.S.C. 501 (c), (3) is eligible to receive employee contributions through the CFC.  CFC's general campaign kick-off is in the fall of each year.  Employees may contribute by cash, check, or payroll deduction and may designate the agencies to which all or part of their donation is to be given.

Your Records   [Top of Page]

An official personnel file (OPF) has been created for you. It is maintained at your servicing human resource office, and you may review it upon request.  It is also important that YOU keep a copy of important documents pertaining to your employment, such as copies of Personnel Actions, Notices of Awards, insurance election papers, TSP documents, and training documentation.

Drug Free Workplace   [Top of Page]

Executive Order 12564 made it a condition of employment for all Federal employees to refrain from using illegal drugs on- or off-duty.  BLM has embarked upon a comprehensive and thoughtfully tailored program to achieve a drug-free workplace.  Every employee has a role to play in ensuring the program's success.

Tour of Duty   [Top of Page]

A variety of tour of duty options are used in BLM offices.  You may have the option of electing to participate in different work schedules and flexiplace arrangements.  Management reserves the right to establish a regular, fixed work week or shift operations according to regulations as the work of the organization dictates.  Discuss your tour of duty options with your supervisor.  If you and your supervisor decide that an optional work schedule will meet the needs of the organization, call your servicing human resource office for guidelines on the option.

Employee Express   [Top of Page]

You can change a variety of discretionary personnel and payroll transactions automatically without going through your personnel office and without completing any paperwork.  Employee Express is a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week automated system that will help you make personnel and payroll changes and review your current information.  This service is provided by OPM.  For more information contact www.employeeexpress.gov or the HELP DESK at (478) 757-3030 or send a message via E-mail to eexhelp@opm.gov.

Employee Assistance Program   [Top of Page]

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is the Department's confidential counseling program that offers assessment, short-term counseling, and referral services to help employees deal with a wide range of drug, alcohol, family, marital, work-related, money, mental health problems, or any situation that causes stress or worry.  The EAP is intended to help rehabilitate employees with problems so they can lead happier lives and be productive workers.

The EAP is confidential. EAP records and conversations between an EAP counselor and an employee are private.  They do not become part of the official personnel record. Release of EAP records is generally prohibited without the employee's written permission.

The EAP may be used by all Department of the Interior employees. Any employee may enter EAP counseling at any time.  The EAP may also be used by an employee's immediate family, which is defined as spouse and parents thereof, dependent parents, and children, including adopted children, stepchildren, and foster children, as well as any other dependents residing within the employee's home. For information on the EAP contact your servicing human resource office.

Personally Owned Equipment   [Top of Page]

BLM's policy is to supply you with the equipment that you need to do your work. BLM will not authorize you to use your personally owned equipment since the government cannot reimburse you for repair or maintenance of your own equipment.  There are three exceptions to this policy: personally owned horses and related tack, personally owned vehicles for official travel, and approved personally owned firearms for law enforcement officers.

Government Owned Equipment   [Top of Page]

Government owned equipment such as vehicles, computers, etc. can be used only as part of your job and are not for private use.  Use of the E-mail and the Internet is limited and is strictly regulated.  Meet with your supervisor to discuss how these tools can be appropriately used.

Motor Vehicle Use and Care   [Top of Page]

Government vehicles are to be used exclusively for official government business by government employees.  Demonstrated competence and your supervisor's authorization are required before you can operate a government vehicle.

BLM has a mileage reporting system that is used to keep a record of miles driven and number of days used and to assign cost coding to the benefiting activity.  You must fill out this form for every trip.  Ask your supervisor how your office manages this process.  Government credit cards should be used for all purchases of gasoline and oil.  Repairs exceeding $150 may not be charged on credit cards and must be authorized by the GSA Motor Pool.

Use of Aircraft   [Top of Page]

As a part of your official duties, you may travel on charter or contract aircraft procured by the government in support of its mission.  Be aware of the requirements for air travel on government procured aircraft.

Travel on charter or contract aircraft must be requested and approved by an official of your office who has been designated to schedule and approve flights.  Flights are usually scheduled and approved through your supervisor and the Aviation Manager. Aircraft services may be used only for the performance of official duties.

Personal Telephone Calls   [Top of Page]

The General Services Administration has amended the policy on use of government telephone systems.  The new policy authorizes employees to make reasonable but limited use of government telephone systems for necessary personal calls.  However, personal long distance telephone calls are not permitted.

Procurement   [Top of Page]

Procurement or acquisition is the government's buying of products or services from another government agency, a contractor, a nonprofit organization, or a state agency.  Even though the government credit card can be used to make most purchases, check with your supervisor to discuss how goods and services are purchased in your office.

Travel Policies and Regulations   [Top of Page]

As a part of your official duties you may be placed in official travel status.  If this occurs, you will be given a travel authorization (Form Dl-1020) that will show the purpose of your trip, your destination, authorized mode of travel, and the per diem or expense rate you will be allowed.  A travel authorization must be issued before travel begins.  If you are asked to use or wish to use your personally owned vehicle, you must make these arrangements with and get them approved by your supervisor.  You will receive a mileage allowance for the use of your vehicle.  Airline tickets will generally be procured by your travel clerk or travel agent.  Before you travel, you may be eligible for an advance of traveling money so that not all of your expenses will come out of your pocket.  In addition, you also may be eligible for a government credit card.

Frequent Flyer or Other Airline Credits   [Top of Page]

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002, signed by President Bush on December 28, 2001, now allows federal employees to retain for personal use, promotional items (such as frequent flyer credits) received incident to official travel. Such promotional benefits must be obtained under the same conditions as those offered to the general public at no additional cost to the government. This includes benefits earned before enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002.

It is general government policy that employees travel by coach class accommodations. However, employees may upgrade their transportation class of service at their own expense. Therefore, as frequent traveler benefits may now be retained for personal use, government employees may use any frequent traveler benefits earned to upgrade their transportation class to premium service. The regulations governing upgrades to premium airline accommodations can be found at FTR Sections 301-10.123 and 301-10.124. The agency cannot pay for any upgrades, unless the employee meets one of the exceptions in the above regulations.

The Internal Revenue Service has indicated that these benefits may be taxable.

If you have additional questions, contact your supervisor or your agency's travel or financial policy manager.

Labor Organizations   [Top of Page]

Under law, each employee has the right to join a union or labor organization or not to do so and is protected in the exercise of this right from penalty or reprisal.  Employees are also free to form or assist labor organizations, participate in managing them, and act as liaison organization representatives.  The following people are not covered by these provisions:

• Supervisors or managers
• Confidential employees (those who work with privileged management information)
• Employees who are engaged in personnel work in other than clerical jobs

A labor organization is a union, a federation, or council having as a main purpose the improvement of working conditions among federal employees.  Leaders of these organizations may discuss, consult, and negotiate with BLM officials on matters of interest and concern to you and your coworkers.  Check with your servicing personnel office for the labor organizations in your area.

Federal law forbids employees from engaging in a strike against the government.

Grievance Process   [Top of Page]

The Employee Grievance Process is for employees who seek personal relief from a wide variety of work-related problems.  At the employee's request, the Employee Relations Staff will initiate a confidential review into any matter of concern or dissatisfaction that is subject to management control and does not directly involve alleged incidents of discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, or handicapping condition.  Since the processes differ for bargaining and non-bargaining employees, see your servicing personnel office for detailed information on how to file a grievance.

Whenever possible, BLM encourages employees to resolve differences through the use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) techniques.

Volunteer Program   [Top of Page]

For more than a decade BLM has been inviting citizens to lend a hand in public lands management.  People from across the United States and abroad have answered the invitation and have become a vital part of BLM today.

With the exception of law enforcement and a few specialized activities, all programs represented in BLM have opportunities for volunteer involvement.  By employees working with their local office volunteer coordinators to ensure proper planning, preparation, and management approval, anyone can effectively work with volunteers.  The Volunteer Program also lets employees of all grades accomplish tasks outside their normal tour of duty.  By serving as a volunteer project supervisor (when suitable), employees can learn new skills or enhance current skills, expand their knowledge of BLM programs, and explore different career avenues.  To learn more about the Volunteer Program, contact your local volunteer coordinator or talk with your supervisor.

Acronyms   [Top of Page]

Like every organization, BLM has its own jargon.  To understand the jargon, a list of acronyms and abbreviations that are commonly used throughout the Bureau is presented in Appendix C of this handbook.  As you might find other abbreviations used at your location, add them to the list.