OPM report: Lots of downsizing, few RIFs

Federal agencies eliminated more than 38,000 jobs in fiscal 1997, but only a little more than 5,000 employees left involuntarily as a result of reductions-in-force, according to a new Office of Personnel Management report.

By contrast, in fiscal 1996, the overall workforce reduction was 49,026 with more than 10,000 RIF separations. Between January 1993 and 1998, the federal workforce has been reduced by 351,194 employees, with 36,204 employees RIFed.

In 1997, 7,309 non-Defense employees facing possible RIFs were given career transition assistance and priority for other jobs, OPM reported. In addition, 13,375 displaced DoD employees were assisted through the department's Priority Placement Program.

The report also found that:

• 1,358 surplus and displaced non-Defense workers were placed in other positions within their agencies, and 5,904 Defense workers were placed in other jobs within the department.
• 910 displaced employees were rehired through their agency's Reemployment Priority List after being RIFed.
• 408 employees who were RIFed by one agency were selected for positions in another agency.
• 64 agencies updated and implemented nationwide programs to assist their surplus and displaced employees.
• In the past two years, 43,340 displaced employees facing RIFs have been given career transition assistance and selection priority for other jobs.