The Foreign Service Journal, July-August 2014

64 JULY-AUGUST 2014 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS Q: After my packout from post, someone from the General Services Office came, as required, to do the inven- tory of government property, and to assess the state of the furniture and carpets, etc. The GSO’s office then sent me an enormous bill, claiming that I had damaged the chairs and soiled the carpets. How should I proceed? A: This problem arises more often than it should, and is really something that needs attention throughout your occupancy of the house or apartment. You need to be aware of what you have and its condition. So, as soon as you move into your assigned quarters, take an accurate inventory of all the furniture and fittings, including their condition. This is very important, as it gives both you and the GSO a baseline from which to work. If there are any stains, wear or damage on any furniture, carpets or fittings, be precise about where the damage is located and its nature. Take pictures if you like, and make sure that they are reliably dated. Next, throughout your occupancy, it probably goes without saying that you should take care that the fur- niture and fittings are treated well. If any damage occurs, make a note of the extent of it and when and how it occurred. This will ensure that you are not taken by surprise when the checkout Why You Need a Household Inventory inspection turns up any dam- age, and will enable you to identify damage that was not caused by you or your family. During the checkout inspection, make sure that you and the GSO’s represen- tative do the walk-through together. Compare your observations with those you made on arrival. Make sure you get a copy of the rough report, but keep your own list as you go around the house. If you disagree with the bill when you get it, ask to go through it with the GSO’s office. There are a number of factors that are worth bear- ing in mind: • Fair wear and tear is not your responsibility. Things wear out over time unless you never walk anywhere on the carpets or sit on any of the chairs. • If you have damaged something that needs to be replaced, depreciation should be taken into account. You should not get charged the cost of a new item to replace a 10-year-old armchair. • Look at any proposed re-upholstery costs very carefully; and, if necessary, compare the proposed costs with other upholsterers. Again, you should not be charged for fair wear and tear. • On the other hand, be realistic. Damage and soiling by pets and children do not count as fair wear and tear and are your responsibility to clean up or repair, or to pay to have rectified after leaving. Large scratches and cigarette or other burns on furniture are not fair wear and tear either, and are also your responsibility. If you need help in nego- FSYF Annual Welcome Back Picnic The Foreign Service Youth Foundation’s annual welcome back picnic will take place on Sunday, Sept. 14, at 4 p.m. The location, as in previous years, is Nottoway Park in Vienna, Va. (9610 Courthouse Rd.). This is always among FSYF’s most popular events each year, and is intended to welcome back families returning from overseas and those families who are new to the Foreign Service. There is no cost associated with attending the picnic, and FSYF mem- bership is not a prerequisite. FSYF does ask attendees to bring a side dish or dessert to share. Additional informa- tion is available at www.fsyf.org . Veteran AP Reporter on State— “More Than Just Diplomacy” Longtime Associated Press State Department reporter George Gedda reaches back into his many years at Foggy Bottom and tells stories from his long career. His new book, The State Department—More Than Just Diplomacy: The Personalities, Turf Battles, Danger Zones for Diplomats, Exotic Datelines, Miscast Appoint- ees, the Laughs—and, Sadly, the Occasional Homicide , is the latest selection in AFSA’s ongoing Book Notes series. This event will take place at AFSA headquarters, 2101 E St NW, at 2 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 4. RSVP to events@afsa.org. Books will be available for sale; the price is $12 and checks are preferred. tiations with the GSO, speak with your AFSA post rep, who may contact the AFSA Labor Management Office. n —James Yorke, Labor Management Specialist