Wednesday, August 07, 2002

Within the next four weeks, ITA will begin using Adobe E-forms. Effective October 1, 2002, Delrina Form Flow format will no longer be accessible from your workstations. All ITA Commerce Department (CD), Standard (SF) and Optional Forms (OF) and ITA-applications (such as travel and procurement) will be completed using Adobe Acrobat software. These forms can be filled on your computer screen, saved on your local hard drive, printed (filled or blank), faxed or e-mailed. Now is a good time to start getting into the habit of using the electronic PDF forms. These forms are currently available at http://www.ita.doc.gov/ooms/forms/FormsSite.htm. Once the transition occurs, e-forms must be accessed through the ITA Intranet homepage "Our Place". Look for ITA-wide announcements regarding electronic forms and the ITA Intranet "Our Place". For more information on electronic forms currently available, contact Charles Jefferson at (202) 482-6078.

Earning and Leave Statements (ELS)

Employees are responsible for reviewing their biweekly Leave and Earnings Statement (ELS). Report errors, corrections, omissions, and discrepancies to your servicing payroll/personnel office. The ELS contains information regarding your salary and leave record, and if reviewed regularly, may enable you to avoid potential pay and leave problems. Careful review of the ELS is important when employees make changes during various open seasons ( i.e., Combined Federal Campaign, Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, Thrift Savings Plan, U. S. Savings Bonds Campaign, etc.), and make routine changes in Federal and state tax and voluntary withholdings. For assistance, contact Melanie Hazlett at (202) 482-1027.

Foreign Language Program

The Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM), Workforce Development Division, offers foreign language classes that have been designed for employees whose work requires that they interact with people from other countries. The employee receives training in grammar, speech, writing, business ethics, and casual situational settings. Class levels range from beginner to advanced. Classes are held twice weekly during business hours for a period of 1 to 2 hours for 14 to 18 weeks. Currently, OHRM is offering classes in Chinese, Czech, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. There is a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 6 students per class. Our instructors teach only their native language . For more information, contact Brenda Jennings at (202) 482-5075.

FY 2003 Budget

The Senate version of the Bill includes funding for ITA at the FY 2002 level plus an increase to cover the pay raise starting in January. For more information, contact Alan Zegas at (202) 482-5739.

FY 2004 Budget

Nine of ITA's proposed increases included in the FY 2004 Secretarial Budget were approved by the Department for inclusion in the OMB submission. For more information, contact Alan Zegas at (202) 482-5739.

Traveler's Corner

Question:When does a traveler's per diem or actual expense entitlement start/stop?

Answer: A traveler's per diem or actual expense entitlement starts on the day he/she departs from home, office or other authorized point and ends on the day he/she returns to home, office or authorized point. If you have questions, call your travel contact or Sharon Russell at (202) 482-3267.

 

Where Do I Find....Explanations for Codes that Appear on my Earnings & Leave Statement?

Have you ever wondered about a code appearing on your Earnings & Leave Statement, and

wanted to know what that code really means? Now you can find a list of these codes and their explanations on the Internet at http://www.ita.doc.gov/hrm/leave/earncodes.htm. For more information on pay and leave, check the ITA Office of Human Resources Management website at http://www.ita.doc.gov/hrm/pay-lv.html or contact Melanie Hazlett at (202) 482-1027.

Comings and Goings

Arrivals-WELCOME!

IA-Robert Beadle, Steven Winkates, Lisa N. Shishido, Linda C. Sullivan, Mark J. Todd

MAC-Karen Buress-Floyd, Charisse Glassman

TD-Aaron S. Brickman, Patricia Gerhanik, Carolyn Storck McNeill

US&FCS-Eric Y. Zheng

Departures

MAC-Mildred T. Alston, Tome Tanevski, Cherie J. Whitney, John Noyes, Charlene Woodford

IA-Stephen B. Shin, Motamed J. Mesbah

TD-Stuart S. Keitz

US&FCS-John W. Avard, Joan T. Hall, Henry S. Richmond

Admnistration - Mitchell Luxenberg

ITA Yardstick: RESULTS SHOW SOLID PROGRESS TOWARDS GOAL

As stated in the Department's Annual Performance Plan, ITA's Performance Goal Number 2 is to "Broaden and Deepen Our Exporter Base". This goal involves participation from several programs in ITA and reflects a critical component of our mission. From time to time, the Yardstick likes to feature our progress to date and share results and outcomes.

By the end of the third quarter of this fiscal year:

These figures reflect the laudable results achieved through out daily work in ITA and indicate progress toward just one of our performance goals. Hats off to each of you who has contributed to these outcomes!

Training on Looking Up Accounting Codes on Your PC

The Office of Financial Management (OFM) is launching an automated accounting classification code electronic lookup menu on the Intranet http://ourplace.ita.doc.gov. OFM is pleased to present accounting classification code classes for employees who process obligating documents such as time and attendance reports, requests for procurements, credit card bills, purchase orders, travel orders, etc. The training classes will introduce you to the ITA accounting classification code system and teach you how to navigate through the lookup screens. Training classes for ITA employees will be held on August 6, 8, 13, 16, 20, 22, September 19, 24 and October 1, 3, 2002. Training for timekeepers is mandatory and classes specifically tailored to timekeepers' needs will be held on September 17, 26, and October 1 and 2, 2002. All classes will be held in Room 4115 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM. Each session will accommodate 15 participants. There is no cost associated with this training. To register: Call Ms. Colita Shelton on (202) 482-3789 or e-mail Ms. Shelton at www.colita_shelton@ita.doc.gov . If you have any questions or would like more information regarding these sessions, please call Linda Henry on (202) 482-5343. This program is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Brenda Jennings on (202) 482-3947 or (202) 483-3438 (TDD for hearing impaired employees only).