fm
NEWS FOR AND ABOUT EPA EMPLOYEES
INSIDE:
~	Porter Confirmed
~	Velocity Condemned
~	Envelopes Switched
VOLUME 2 NUMBER 17 September 1985
Changing Times at EPA
By Margherifa Pryor
Do EPA employees glide?
Or compress, vary, or flex?
Sure they do. But these
aren't breakdancing moves or
the latest Jane Fonda work-
out. Gliding, compressing,
and flexing are terms that de-
scribe a range of options for
arranging work hours at EPA
and other federal agencies.
Over 10,000 employees at
EPA and almost 500,000 em-
ployees government-wide
currently work under flexible
schedules, known to the
Office of Personnel Manage-
ment as alternative work
schedules and to everyone
else as flexitime.
Do they like it?
According to reports issued
recently by the U.S. General
Accounting Office and by the
Office of Personnel Manage-
ment, they like it a lot. A
1985 survey of representative
agencies and employees by
GAO indicated that three-
quarters of employees on flexi
time are pleased with it
and want it to continue; a
whopping 89 percent of par-
ticipants with child care or
other dependent care needs
said they were satisfied or
very satisfied with their work
schedules. The reasons most
often cited for this satisfac-
tion were easier commuting,
greater control over work
situations, increased flexibil-
ity in meeting personal obli-
gations, and greater ease in
making child-care arrange-
ments.
Employees are not the only
ones who appreciate flex-
itime. A number of agencies
reported that flexible sched-
ules are an important recruit-
ing factor, especially for re-
mote or hard to fill positions.
The flexitime option also
makes it easier to keep em-
ployees who, for various rea-
sons, may otherwise quit or
work somewhere else.
Most managers report that
flexitime improves service to
the public and increases
Agency productivity by
allowing extended hours and
better telephone coverage. It's
very useful for agencies like
EPA with heavy coast-to-
coast communications. Flex-
ible schedules have also been
welcome in laboratories and
field investigations, where
the work doesn't usually fall
into 8-hour chunks.
Flexible work schedules
are not just a government
idea. In fact, Uncle Sam is a
relative, and somewhat
grudging, latecomer to the
concept. The Hewlett-
Packard company, for ex-
ample, introduced flexitime
back in 1972 in one location.
It's now offered to all em-
ployees worldwide, including
those who work in produc-
tion plants. Financial service
and insurance companies
have also been leaders in
flexible scheduling. Today,
about 20 percent of private
employers offer some kind of
alternative work hours.
State and local governments
have also turned to flexitime.
Colorado's Department of
Revenue began offering flex-
itime and compressed work
weeks back in 1980.
Continued on back.
The Alternatives
Alternative work schedules for federal employees
were authorized by the 1978 Federal Employees Flexible
and Compressed Work Schedules Act. The act permitted
flexible schedules and compressed schedules.
Flexible work schedules refer to a working day with
two types of time: core time and flexible time. During a
designated core time, all employees must be present.
Flexible time is a range of working hours within which
employees may choose their times of arrival and
departure consistent with the basic number of hours
they are required to put in. Many offices at EPA, for
example, have a core time of nine to three, but
employees may arrive as early as 7:00 or as late as 9:00
a.m. A gliding schedule means that employees can vary
their arrival times.
Compressed work schedules refer to any schedule
which allows employees to fulfill their basic work
requirements in less than 10 working days each 2-week
pay period. One schedule that appears to work well for
laboratories is the 4/10 week, in which participants work
10 hours for 4 days each week. More common is the
5-4/9 plan, in which employees work 9 hours for 8 days,
8 hours on one day, and get the 10th day off.
At EPA, the most popular flexible schedule is
flexitime, followed distantly by the 5-4/9 plan. Only two
offices within the agency still use the 4/10 week.
Flexitime is popular, but right now its continuance is
uncertain. The authorizing legislation is due to expire
with the fiscal year on September 30. ~
The Statistics
7,261 Employees
on Flexitime
3,505 Employees in
Non-participating Offices
3,371 Employees on
Compressed Schedules
c5^686 Employees Are Permanent Part-time-m:

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Letters
Available Information
Dear Editor:
In response to the letter from Rem Brown, et. al , in your
August issue, our office also has had the frustrating
experience of losing information on these new [Velocity]
discs. It is very disruptive, nonproductive, and has a really
bad effect on office morale.
Information has been lost on every Velocity disc I have
used, including my backup discs.
But, more frustrating, is the fact that the Lexitron people
will not and cannot work effectively on these discs and W1C
only has one person, and half the time she is not available.
When I have left discs with her she wasn't able to retrieve my
information off of these discs because they are so defective.
I would like to put in my vote for the Lexitron discs which,
in my opinion, would save time, money, and plenty of
frustration and stress. I have gotten the best performance out
of the Lexitron discs and better service out of the Lexitron
people in retrieving what little information 1 have lost in the
3 or 4 years we used that brand.
Felicia Cunningham
Enforcement and
Compliance Monitoring
Publication oj the original letter on Velocity discs has
prompted two encouraging responses. First, (he letter's
authors and The EPA Times have already received several
responses from around the Agency. Second, the Facilities and
Support Services Division has begun an investigation of the
problem. To assist in ensuring the future availability of
reliable discs, all employees with pertinent experience are
strongly encouraged to document their experiences—in
writing—and mail them to Frank Powers at mail code
PM-215. The more input received, the more likely a positive
result.—Ed.
Let your fiche do the walking: The headquarters library now
has over 1000 telephone directories for cities and towns
over the United States that have populations of 40.000 or^B
more. The directories include white and yellow pages, ancr
are now available on microfiche near the Reference desk. The
library also has on order current paper copies of directories
for cities with EPA locations.
EPA has available two new documents containing practical
guidelines for building owners and custodians to identify,
evaluate and control asbestos hazards.
Guidance for Controlling Friable Asbestos-Containing
Materials in Buildings has been designed to help building
owners set priorities for dealing with asbestos-containing
materials in their buildings.
Asbestos in Buildings, Guidance for Service and Maintenance
Personnel is geared specifically to building maintenance and
custodial staff. It will be printed both in English and in
Spanish. For copies of the documents, write Edward Klein.
Director, TSCA Assistance Office (TS-799).
Selections from recoil acquisitions by the EPA Library which may be of
genera] inleresl
Controlling Cross-Media Pollutants. Conservation
Foundation. TD171 C66. 1984.
Current Industrial Reports. MA-200 Pollution Abatement
Costs and Expenditures. Bureau of Census. REF HC110
P55U5a. 1983.
Environmental Decision-Making. Ed. by Yusuf). Ahmad.
HC110 .E5E59. 1983-1984.
Trace Substances in Environmental Health; Proceedings
of the University of Missouri's Annual Conference on Trace
Substances in Environmental Health RA565 .A1U54.
1983-1984
Women in Scientific and Engineering Professions. Ed. by
Violet B. Haas and Carolyn C. Perrucci. Q130 .VV66. 1984. ~
Agency Activities
EPA has issued tinal water pollution rules requiring the
petroleum refining industry to more stringently control the
discharge of certain wastewater pollutants as well as
pollutants in storm water runoff trom refinery property. The
final rules will require the U.S. crude oil processing industry
to significantly reduce allowable discharges to the
environment. The rules reduce the allowable discharge ot
total chromium by approximately 286,000 pounds per year, a
66-percent reduction from current allowable levels.
Final rules have been issued to control the discharge of
certain wastewater pollutants from nonferrous metal forming
plants. The rule will result in a 97-percent reduction in the
discharge of toxic pollutants from nonferrous industry plants.
The nonferrous metal alloys regulated include
lead-tin-bismuth, magnesium, nickel-cobalt, precious metals,
titanium, zinc, zirconium-hafnium, and metal powders. This
reduction will remove	pounds per year of toxic
pollutants from direct discharges into streams and an
additional 54.500 pounds per year of pollutants discharged to
sewage treatment facilities.
Final standards have been issued for the management
and disposal of high-level radioactive waste from both
commercial and defense sources. The rules provide public
health protection for future generations from radioactivity
from spent nuclear reactor fuel and high-level waste products
generated by atomic energy defense activities.
EPA announced final regulations that would further restrict
the use of PCBs transformers in public buildings. The rules
are designed to protect the public from potential health risks
posed by fires from transformers containing PCBs. The rule
was prompted by concern over the risks that resulted from
transformer fires m Binghamton. N.Y., San Francisco and
Chicago
Final regulations have been issued under the Clean Air Act
establishing visibility new-source review procedures and
monitoring strategies for 19 states and one territory. The rules
will require that new industrial sources or major
modifications of existing sources of air pollution near
national parks or wilderness areas, designated as pristine
areas under the Clean Air Act, must meet specific federal new
source review or monitoring requirements.
EPA has selected Chattanooga, Tenn.. to be its
Environmental Methods Testing Site for a research program to
begin Oct. 1, 1985 Field evaluations of environmental
monitoring equipment and research techniques will he
conducted at the site to assess present and future methods
measuring or predicting exposure to chemical compounds.^
The Office of Research and Development in EPA has found
that Chattanooga has the specific geographic location and mix
of industry, climate, and pollution necessary to carry out this
program ~

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People
Frank Mischlich. Region 7, was honored on two separate
M^sions for his work as Chairman of the Pre-Award and
^Brity List Work Group during 1984-85. Frank's group,
which included eight EPA employees from around the U.S..
was responsible for identifying and resolving national
information management issues that arose during the course
of the year.
Morris Kay, Region 7 Administrator (1.), Paul Walker,
Acting Director of Water Management in Region 7 (c.), and
Frank Mischlich, receiving Special Achievement Award.
Tyrone Aiken, a chemist with the Registration Division of
Office of Pesticides Programs, received $500 for his
suggestion that computers would save EPA money if bought
for reviewing product chemistry data for pesticides. Recently,
EPA purchased 8000 IBM PC XT's. and Aikens' suggestion
will be further evaluated in December.
Richard Leighton. Region 1. received the Region 1 FEB
jderal Executive Board) award for Exceptional
Pministrative and Management Achievement.
Charles Stevens. Region 8. received an award from the
Denver Federal Executive Board for "Excellence in
Government". He was honored, in particular, for his role in
enhancing intergovernmental cooperation.
Charles R. Stevens
Frances E. Phillips, Deputy Administrator of Region 6. and
Marcia E. Williams, Director of the Office of Solid Waste,
each received the Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious
Executive June 27 in Washington. D.C. The award, the
highest given to a member of the Senior Executive Service, is
for "noteworthy achievement of quality and efficiency in
public service."
jhe EPA Times is published monthly to provide news and information
3r and about EPA employees. Readers are encouraged to submit news of
themselves and of fellow employees, letters of opinion, questions,
comments, and suggestions to: Marilyn Rogers. Editor. The EPA Times.
Office of Public Affairs (A-l07). Telephone 382-4355. Information
selected for publication will be edited as necessary in keeping with
space available.
Retirees: Del Richard. 20 years, Rachel Holmlund. 15
years, and Leland McCabe, 12 years. Region 5 . . . Constance
Traylor, 30 years, and Dessie Fontecchio, 16 years. Region 6
. . . William Mitchell. 38 years. Bay St. Louis . . . Elaine
Thiesing, 36 years, Athens . . . Carol Lawson, 18 years,
External Affairs . . . Warren Gilbertson, 45 years,
Administration and Resources Management.
Quality Step Increases awarded to: Frances Hearn. Office
of the Inspector General . . . Joseph Moran, Enforcement and
Compliance Monitoring.
Special Act Awards presented to: Joe Retzer, Ellie McCann,
Matt Perl, Jeff Kolb, David Sussman, John Chamberlin, Fiona
Jerrett, Barbara Willis, and Lillian Beerman, Policy, Planning
and Evaluation . . . Maria Diamond and James Merrill, Office
of the General Counsel . . . Richard Moraski, Kelly Keelan,
Beverly Farmarco, Richard Walentowicz. and Lorraine
Inglis, Research and Development . . . James Nelson, Arthur
Stern, and Linda Travers. Pesticides and Toxic Substances
. . . Steven Leifer and Sally Mansbach, Enforcement and
Compliance Monitoring . . . Elise Diggs. Sharon Ellis, Anne
Magos, Le'Ontyne Buggs, Richard Lemley, and Judith Mercer,
Administration and Resources Management . . . Janis Hasting
and Phil Millam, Region 10. Sustained Superior
Performance Awards presented to: Brenda Selden, and Janice
Barbour, Office of the Administrator . . . Donna Witherspoon
and Alan Bogus, Office of the Inspector General . . . Louis
Paley, Roberta Lane. Sonya Stelmack, Myra Cysper, Kevin
Bell, Doreen Cantor, Acquanetta Delaney, and Sheena
Dupree, Air and Radiation . . . Allen Danzig. Enforcement and
Compliance Monitoring . . . Stephen Greene. Policy, Planning
and Evaluation . . . Don Dossett, Region 10. ~
Around EPA
Nominations are now being accepted for the 1986
National Public Service Awards Program sponsored by
the American Society for Public Administration and the
National Academy of Public Administration. These awards
will pay tribute to public service practitioners whose careers
exhibit the highest standards of excellence, dedication, and
accomplishment. The awards seek to provide recognition for
outstanding individuals and to underscore the need to have
creative and highly skilled individuals as managers. The
deadline for receipt of nominations is November 29, 1985. For
more information, contact the National Public Service
Awards. 1120 G St. NW.. Suite 500, Washington. DC 20005.
Telephone: 202-393-7878.
Notice to former D.C. employees from the Personnel
Management Division. Individuals who were employed by the
D.C. Government after September 26, 1980, and then came to
EPA, should contact Earl Frice on 382-3266, if they work at
headquarters or Thorne Chambers on 382-3317, if they work
in the field.
William Muszynski has been named Deputy Administrator
for Region 2. He moves to the new position from a post as
director of the region's water management division, where he
had served for two years.
Alvin Ewing is the new assistant RA for Alaska, He
replaced Ronald Kreizenbeck, who returns to Region 10
headquarters as director of water policy and program
management. Ewing had served as director of state operations
for Washington. ~

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Porter to Head OSWER
Envelope Switch Brings Award
Dr. J. Winston Porter has
been confirmed by the Senate
as EPA's Assistant Adminis-
trator for Solid Waste and
Emergency Response.
In that capacity, Dr. Porter
will oversee the agency's Su-
perfund and other hazardous
waste management programs.
Dr. Porter has extensive
background in several
environmental areas, includ-
ing hazardous waste control
as well as municipal and in-
dustrial pollution control
programs. His education in-
cludes a B.S. degree from the
University of Texas (Austin)
and a Ph.D. from the Univer-
sity of California at Berkeley.
j&r	IjSRi.
/. Winston Porter
From 1976 until recently, Dr.
Porter was the owner of the
management and engineering
consulting firm of J.W. Porter
and Associates in Leesburg,
Va. ~
by Rowena Michaels
Region 7
Discovery that a plastic air-
cushioned envelope is less
costly to mail than one filled
with shredded paper has
earned a $260 cash award for
Louis Clearman, an equip-
ment operator in the Support
Services Section of Region
7's Office of Policy and Man-
agement.
The mail rate for an empty
bubble pack envelope is 31
cents versus 91 cents to mail
the same size paper-
cushioned envelope.
Region 7 estimates that the
minimum savings for the use
of the bubble pack would
amount to $2,600 in fiscaU
year 1986. Clearman's sufl
tion, entered in the EPA ^
Suggestion Awards Program,
earns 10 percent ($260) of the
estimated savings.
Susan Gordon, Region 7
Assistant Administrator for
Policy and Management, pre-
sented the cash award and a
certificate to Clearman at a
July 8. 1985 ceremony.
Clearman's suggestion has
been submitted to EPA head-
quarters to evaluate whether
it is feasible for Agency-
wide use. If implemented,
Clearman could receive addi-
tional money for his
suggestion. ~
Conferences, Etc.
A Spill Control and Hazardous Materials Conference will
be held October 8-10 in New Haven, Connecticut. It is
sponsored by the New Haven Harbor Petroleum Cooperative,
and endorsed by EPA. Guest speakers from EPA include: Dr.
J. Winston Porter, Assistant Administrator, Office of Solid
Waste and Emergency Response; James Makris, Deputy
Director, Hazardous Response Support Division; Paul Keough,
Acting Deputy Administrator, Region 1; and Ellery Savage,
Environmental Response Team. Other EPA workshop
speakers include: Penny Hanson; Steven Novick; John Riley;
Richard Horner; Michael Flaherty, and Donald Berger. For
more information, contact Michael Flaherty at 202-382-2196.
A specialty conference sponsored by the Air Pollution
Control Association, Continuous Emission Monitoring:
Advances and Issues, will be held October 15-18 at the Omni
Times Change . . .
International Hotel, Baltimore, Maryland. For more
information, contact Terry Ames, APCA. P.O. Box 2861,
Pittsburgh, PA 15230. Telephone 412-232-3444.
The thirteenth annual Illinois Energy Conference, New
Energy Technologies for the Midwest will be held October 28
and 29 in Chicago. For more information, contact James J. *
Wiet, Energy Resources Center, Box 4348, Chicago, IL 606!^
Telephone 312-996-4490.
The Mid-Atlantic States Section of the Air Pollution
Control Association will sponsor a "MASS-APCA Fall
Technical Conference" November 13-14 at the Holiday Inn,
Philadelphia, PA. The theme will be "Air Pollution Impacts
from Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities." For more
information, contact Renato D. Asuncion, Smith Kline
Beckman Corp., P.O. Box 7929, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Telephone: 215-751-4221.
The leader by far in accept-
ing and promoting flexible
work schedules is the com-
puter industry. A 1983 sur-
vey by Computerworld maga-
zine discovered that 54 per-
cent of data-processing man-
agers offer alternative sched-
ules, ranging from flexible
hours at one end to job-
sharing and working from
home via computer at the
other. In 1984, more than 200
employers were experiment-
ing with "telecommuting."
Many experts predict that as
more and more employees
begin to use and rely on per-
sonal computers, their jobs
will become increasingly
"portable," at least for part of
the week. And close to 60
percent of the U.S. workforce
is already classified as in-
formation workers.
EPA is a heavy flexitime
user. It's also a leader in hir-
ing part-time professionals. Is
it a trendsetter in
teleccmmuting, too?
Not for now. Most Agency
personnel officials are very
cautious about the concept of
"working from home".
"There's just so much poten-
tial for abuse," says Joe Sulli-
van of EPA's Office of Hu-
man Resources Management.
"There's no official policy
against working from home,
but EPA has been very wary
about allowing it." Tom
Wyvill of the training office
adds, "most work done away
from the office is performed
by consultants on retainer.
These have been unique
situations where we know
exactly what products we're
expecting."
Sharon Hagan of Cincinnati
is an EPA employee who fell,
happily, into one of those
"unique situations."
Hagen is a mother with a
young child. Like many
women in her situation, she
elected to quit working to
care for her son. "I missed
working,"she says, "but I
didn't want to go back to
work full time. And there are
very few opportunities for
part-time professional em-
ployment here. I had stayed
in touch with all the folks at
EPA, so when they needed
help with a special project,
they were able to get me on
as a temporary intermittant. I
worked 'on-site' as part of
an evaluation team for a bit,
but I was able to write my
part of the report from home
because I have an IBM PC. I
also did another study a cou-
ple months later where I
worked in the office for a bit,
then wrote the report from
home. It was a wonderful
opportunity. I think the per-
sonal computer is really con-
ducive to working from
home."
Is Sharon Hagan the wava^
the future for other EPA ciflB
ployees?
iyees:
Well, I don't think so,"
she says, "but I wish it were.
The personal computer al-
lows you to have the best of
both worlds." ~

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