October 13, 2010
 
MEMORANDUM
 
To:     User Group Representatives
 
From:   Linda Y. Rihel-Todd, Chief        //signed//
        Payroll Operations Division
 
Subject:    Electronic Check Conversion
 
Effective December 1, 2010, the Payroll Operations Division (POD) will be converting all paper checks received through the mail into electronic format.  Electronic check conversion is a process in which a check is used as a source of information (check number, account number, and the number that identifies your financial institution).  The information is then used to make a one-time electronic payment from the account (an electronic fund transfer).  The check itself is not the method of payment.
 
POD must give notice that the information from the employees check may be used to make an electronic payment from their account. The notice is required by the federal law that applies to electronic fund transfers, the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, and by the Federal Reserve Board's Regulation E.  The following notice will be included in all POD debt letters.
 
When you provide a check as payment, you authorize us either to use information from your check to make a one-time electronic fund transfer from your account or to process the payment as a check transaction.
 
Privacy Act – A Privacy Act Statement required by 5 U.S.C. § 552a

(e)(3) stating our authority for soliciting and
collecting theinformation from your check, and explaining the purposes and routine uses which will be made of your check information, is available by calling our Payroll Operations Division, Review and Analysis Branch at (303) 969-6379 to obtain a copy by mail.

Furnishing the check information is voluntary, but a decision not to do so may require youto make payment by some other method.
 
Once a check is converted to the electronic format, the transaction will be processed faster than the previous method and the check will be properly destroyed.  If the employee does not wish to participate in the electronic check conversion process, they will have to pay via payroll deductions.
 
Steve Gomez, Associate Director
HR Policy and Accountability
Office of the Secretary
US Department of Transportation
Phone: 202-366-9455

 

 

SUBSTANCE ABUSE TESTING

 

Notification on Revisions to DOT 3910.1D

 

Pursuant to the Parties’ Collective Bargaining Agreement(s), all substance testing (drug and alcohol) conducted by the Agency shall be done in accordance with applicable laws, DOT Order 3910.1 and the Drug and Alcohol Testing Guide.

Effective October 1, 2010, the Department of Transportation updated the 3910.1 to incorporate changes to its policies and procedures concerning drug and alcohol testing.  These changes result from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Mandatory Guidelines, as well as changes in the DHHS implementation date.  In addition to DHHS changes, the Order incorporates additional policy and guidance based on clarifications that the Substance Abuse Awareness and Testing Office (SAATO) provided.  New policies have also been incorporated to circumvent practices that are not appropriate in the DOT Drug and Alcohol Testing Program.

 

Attached for your review is the revised DOT Order 3910.1D and Notice of Drug Testing.

 

Should you have any questions or would like to schedule a subsequent briefing, please feel free to contact me.

 

Larry Leese
Labor and Employee Relations Specialist, AMH-160
405-954-5577