CSCC Word of the Day: RIF (Reduction in Force) The acronym RIF has been bandied about as the government shutdown rolls on. Let’s get clarification on this term.
A Reduction In Force (RIF) is a thoughtful and systematic process of eliminating employee positions. For all practical purposes, a government RIF is the same thing as a layoff and can be used after an employee is furloughed for 30 days or 22 actual work days.
Bureaucrats can be laid off, according to Thomas Lifson in his recent article in the American Thinker.
According to Lifson, these four factors are considered: tenure, veteran status, total federal civilian and military service, and performance. RIF is not used as a means of firing an employee.
However, the Office of Management Personnel says that there are two types of shutdowns-administrative and emergency. A shutdown furlough is considered an emergency furlough and Reduction In Force cannot be used because the length of shutdown is unknown and is dependent upon congressional action, not agency planning and action. You can read more about it here:
