FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 22, 1997

CONTACT: Mary Ann Maloney (202) 606-1800 mamalone@opm.gov

Washington, D.C. -- Up to 40 hours of excused absence will be extended to federal employees on duty in the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, OK on April 19, 1995, so that they may attend the trial of Terry Nichols, according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Employees may take excused absence, commonly called administrative leave to attend the trial in Denver or through closed circuit coverage in Oklahoma City.

This same policy, which requires employees to work with their supervisors to schedule leave, was in effect during the Timothy McVeigh trial.

OPM Acting Director Janice Lachance said, This policy was developed to assist survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing in the healing process. OPM develops pay and leave guidance for federal employees.

In addition to allowing individuals who were in, or assigned to, duty in the Murrah Building to attend the trial, the U.S. Attorneys Office has expanded the group to include rescue workers: law enforcement and public safety officers; emergency medical personnel and other individuals involved in the rescue, treatment, or transportation of injured victims; or, the recovery or identification of deceased victims.

We encourage managers and supervisors to allow the use of annual leave or flexible and/or alternative work schedules to assist employees who wish to attend proceedings after exhausting administrative leave, Lachance added.

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