• Department of Transportation (DOT) Transit Benefit Plaza Office Closure Notice

• ITA Central

• Keeping Equipment Up to date

• Avoid Job Burnout

• Take A Break At Lunch

• Year End Performance Ratings

• Performance Plans for FY 2011

• ITA's Annual Honor Awards Ceremony

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Department of Transportation (DOT) Transit Benefit  Plaza Office Closure Notice

To meet Fiscal Year 2010 year end closing deadlines, the U.S. Department of Transportation Parking/Transit Benefit Office will be closed for receipt of transit benefit from Monday, September 13 through Thursday, September 30, 2010.  The office will reopen on Friday, October 1, 2010.  No Metrocheks will be distributed during this time period.  The last day to receive or pick-up Metrocheks in September will be Friday, September 10, 2010.  SmartBenefit participants must download the September transit benefit no later than 11:59 pm, Friday, September 10, 2010.  Electronic download for the remainder of the month will be suspended.  The Department of Transportation Headquarters address is:  1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., Washington, D.C.  The Metro Stop is the Navy Yard on the Green Line.  If you have questions, please call Sharon Russell at (202) 482-3267.

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Keeping Equipment Info Up-to-date Improves Service

All program offices with copiers, printers, and/or fax machines.

The Importance of Removing Equipment From The Maintenance Contract and Sunflower?

Just a reminder, that Cartridge Technologies Incorporated (CTI) provides supplies and maintenance service for your printers, fax machines, and copier equipment, with the exception of Xerox and Oce within the HCHB and the Ronald Reagan buildings.  To maintain an effective and efficient program, it is imperative that program offices communicate with the right people whenever they have equipment that will no longer be used.  Program offices should notify Robin Carpenter when they surplus equipment so that she can remove it from the maintenance/supply contract, which results in a cost savings to ITA.  Additionally, property custodians are responsible for removing the equipment from the Sunflower system. 

How Do I Add New Equipment To The Maintenance Contract?

For new printers, copiers, and fax machines, customers must provide the following data so the equipment can be added to ITA’s maintenance/supply contract to avoid a delay in service/supplies:

• CD Number
• Serial Number
• Brand
• Model Number
• Type of Equipment
• Room Number
• Department
• Contact Name
• Telephone Number

Contact:  For further information regarding how to add equipment to the maintenance/supply contract, you can contact Robin Carpenter, Office of Management and Operations on extension 2-4989 or via email at Robin.Carpenter@trade.gov.  For assistance with the Sunflower system, you can contact Jeffrey Scherr, Office of Management and Operations on extension 2-3266 or via email at Jeffrey.Scherr@trade.gov.

How you can avoid job burnout and increase your office’s productivity

What has the same impact on an organization’s bottom line as sleep deprived workers? The answer is the lack of time off or vacation time!  Unfortunately, efficiency does not increase the more hours we work.  The United States lags behind in the number of vacation days for employees…an average of 13 days compared to Italy at the top of the list which provides 42 days for its workers (Paid vacation around the world).

Lack of time off can lead to job burnout which will negatively affect both employee's heath and productivity.  But how do you know if you have the symptoms of burnout?  Here are a few questions you may want to explore.  Answering these questions honestly can help you determine your current stress level.

• Do you have physical problems such as fatigue, headaches, backaches and stomach aches?
• Do you feel emotionally exhausted?
• Have you experienced a loss of enthusiasm for your work?
• Are you feeling unable to concentrate?

You do not need to take an extended vacation to avoid burnout.   The following tips can help you reduce stress (The importance of taking time off):

• Don’t spread yourself too thin.
• Learn to say "no".
• Prioritize your workload and avoid working long hours…work smarter not harder.
• Take time during the day to work in a 5-10 minute relaxation break.
• Eat a healthy diet, exercise and get plenty of rest.
• Do your best and set reasonable goals for yourself.
• Make the time to take a vacation at least once a year.

You can avoid job burnout by knowing the signs to look for and by utilizing the tips to alleviate stress.   So, are you ready to plan your vacation?

Take A Break At Lunch

Did you know that there are events going on at the Woodrow Wilson Plaza at lunchtime?  There are Live! concerts, seminars and vendors.  Please view a sample schedule below and visit the websites for additional information. Enjoy!

This calendar and additional information can be found at

http://eventful.com/venues/ronald-reagan-building-in-trade-ctr/V0-001-000481655-0/events

Live! Concert Schedule can be viewed at:  http://www.itcdc.com/explore.php?p=7

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"Other News"

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Year End Discussions and Performance Ratings

We are quickly approaching the end-of-year for the employee FY 2010 performance cycle (October 1, 2009 – September 30, 2010).  Now it's time to start the end-of-year process to determine final appraisals and summary ratings for each General Schedule (GS) employee.  It is always a good idea for employees to submit a list of accomplishments to their supervisor to form a basis for discussion.  First line supervisors can also use this information to talk with their immediate supervisor, the approving official, who needs to concur with the first line supervisor’s assessment.  The process of discussion and completion of the rating forms needs to be completed by October 29, 2010.  If you have any questions on the ITA internal performance management process, please contact Ruben Pedroza on (202)482-3072 or Ruben.Pedroza@trade.gov.

Performance Plans for FY 2011

The supervisor and the employee both share responsibility in writing the 2011 performance plan to ensure that the new performance plan is written in a way that the critical elements of the plan are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely (SMART).  Don’t just copy the plan from the previous year.  Discuss what has changed, new priorities, or new expectations.  There should be a “meeting of the minds.”  Within 60 days (November 30) of the beginning of the new performance cycle for FY 2011, supervisors and employees should sign and implement the FY 2011 plan.  If you have any questions on the ITA internal performance management process, please contact Ruben Pedroza on (202)482-3072 or Ruben.Pedroza@trade.gov.

ITA's Annual Honor Awards Ceremony

A SPECIAL CELEBRATION - SAVE THE DATE for ITA's 30th Anniversary

The ITA Annual Honor Awards Ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, October 20, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. in the HCHB Auditorium, followed by a reception with light refreshments.  Under Secretary Sanchez, along with his senior leadership team, will present the Bronze Medals and Memorial Awards to this year's winners.  The recipients of these awards have demonstrated excellence in individual or group achievement in furtherance of ITA's goals and represent the very best in public service.

Please mark your calendars to join us in this special 30 year celebration and to congratulate your colleagues on their personal achievements.

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