Federal employees have a long history of generously giving their time and talents to make positive contributions to the communities where they live and work. Their efforts include food and clothing drives, adopt-a-school programs, one-on-one tutoring and mentoring, community gardening, home-building and restoration, and a variety of other volunteer activities that have made an important difference to the individuals and communities they serve.

As in the private sector, there is much that federal agencies can do as employers to support expanded service by their employees through flexible scheduling and leave policies that enable employees to participate in volunteer activities.

Agencies are encouraged by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to make appropriate use of flexibility and other policies to permit employees to engage in volunteer activities, while giving due consideration to the effect of the employee's absence or change in duty schedule on work operations and productivity.

OPM has prepared guidance to help those departments and agencies interested in encouraging and facilitating employee participation in volunteer activities to create policies and programs that can achieve that end while appropriately considering their statutory and other obligations. Departments and agencies should use this guidance in an effort to help federal employees answer the call to service, but OPM also advises that each agency also review any applicable regulations or policies and collective bargaining agreements particular to its operation for additional guidance

• Click here to find OPM guidance on scheduling work and granting time off to permit federal employees to participate in volunteer activities.
  
• Click here to find an OPM memorandum to heads of Executive Departments and agencies on alternative work schedules and leave and other time off from work.

If you have any questions about Federal pay and leave policies, OPM's Pay and Leave Administration Division is available to respond. Contact them at (202) 606-2858 or send an e-mail message to payleave@opm.gov.

Post Your Own Volunteer Opportunities

If you are with a federal agency or office and would like to have your volunteer opportunities become part of the USA Freedom Corps Volunteer Network, click here.