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USDA Press Release No. 0336.97 WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 1997--Acting Assistant Secretary for
Administration Pearlie Reed announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture projects to save more than $750,000 annually while improving its ability to provide timely and accurate verification of the employment status of USDA employees through the use of a new automated system. "USDA is committed to saving taxpayer dollars and strengthening customer service through the improvement of its management processes," Reed said. "By providing employment verification through a centralized, automated process we achieve both goals." USDA offices across the country routinely receive thousands of letters, faxes, and phone calls from lenders requesting employment and salary verifications. Under the new process, all requests for USDA employment verification will be directed to the TALX Corporation's "The Work Number for Everyone " system. The information provided by the automated system will be taken from personnel and payroll records maintained at USDA's National Finance Center in New Orleans. This eliminates the need for multiple offices and personnel to receive and process requests. Lenders, property managers, and others who need to verify the employment status of any USDA employee anywhere in the country will receive a full verification in minutes. "The system has security features which assure that information will be released only to those who have proper authorization," Reed said. "It gives employees control over who can obtain their employment and salary information while also speeding the loan approval process." USDA human resource offices have tested the system over the past three months and departmentwide implementation is set to begin in October 1997. Employees are being notified of the change through a direct mailing insert with their earnings and leave statement. |
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