Defense Finance & Accounting Services Fires 39 Over Personal Finance Issues

The Defense Finance & Accounting Services fires or indefinitely suspends 39 employees over how they managed their personal finance.

The Defense Finance and Accounting Service has fired or indefinitely suspended 39 employees who weren't paying their bills. According to Federal News Radio 1500 AM, the employees were found "ineligible" to meet security requirements of the job. The decision was reportedly based on background checks recently conducted.

In 2005, all DFAS positions were classified, at a minimum, as "non-critical sensitive" due to employees' access to sensitive information such as civilian, military and retiree pay data; Social Security numbers; and banking information. American Forces Press Service reports the new classification called for a background check of agency employees, explained Terri McKay, DFAS director.

In April, the firing of 20 of more than 60 employees was put hold, according to the Federal Times, after their job classifications were challenged. The background checks included financial delinquencies, bankruptcies, liens, tax liens and the like.

The majority of DFAS employees cleared the background check without an issue, McKay told American Forces Press Service. But for the 39 employees, the background checks for most revealed a long-term "pattern" of financial mishandling coupled with personal misconduct, she added. Only a few had solely financial issues. Source

Wow, talk about Big Brother watching. I do understand the premise that if you handle money, the least you can do is make sure you are practicing sound financial management. There are times, however, when one goes through a financial desert, due to lost hours, terminations, medical expenses, etc. I wonder if those 39 employees were asked what was going on in their private lives that could have led to money issues, or were they even given a chance to fix the problems.