Potential furlough discussed at Town Hall meetings Published March 18, 2011 By Senior Airman David Dobrydney 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- The 48th Mission Support Group hosted town hall meetings March 18 to discuss a potential furlough of U.S. federal employees. "We want you to ultimately be prepared for anything that may happen," said Col. Cassie Barlow, 48th MSG commander. Currently, the U.S. government is operating under a Continuing Resolution Authority, which has been extended until April 8. If it expires without a budget being passed, employees will be placed on furlough status. Alona Calhoun, supervisor of Human Relations specialists for RAFs Lakenheath and Mildenhall, spoke about what a furlough will mean. "Basically, it is temporary placement of employees in a non-duty, non-pay status," said Ms. Calhoun. Under a furlough, agencies may cease all non-essential activities and employees will not be allowed to volunteer their time at their office. Employees who are undertaking a Priority Placement Program move will have their travel date delayed during a furlough. Those who are offered positions under the PPP while on furlough will not be skipped over. Not all employees will be furloughed, said Mrs. Calhoun. Employees who do emergency work or those who will be involved in the orderly suspension of work in offices will be considered exempt. Department of Defense Dependents School employees will also be exempt. Further details about the policy during the furlough are still being worked out between supervisors and the Civilian Personnel Section.