USDA SAVES BY AUTOMATING EMPLOYMENT VERIFICATION PROCESS
                                            Release No. 0336.97
                                                               
                                     Joan Golden (202) 720-2973
                                          joan.golden@ usda.gov
                                  Martha Cashion (202) 720-3310
                                        martha.cashion@usda.gov

USDA SAVES BY AUTOMATING EMPLOYMENT VERIFICATION PROCESS

     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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