The Defense Department decided March 21 to delay by two weeks sending out furlough notices to its civilian work force. Pentagon officials want to analyze legislation now pending before Congress that would fund government operations through the remainder of the fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. Officials believe delivery of furlough notices will begin around April 5. The legislation could affect the required number of furlough days, which now stands at 22. "We believe the delay is a responsible step to take in order to assure our civilian employees that we do not take lightly the prospect of furloughs and the resulting decrease in employee pay, said Pentagon spokesman George Little.
