Washington, D.C. 20530

July 17, 2003

MEMORANDUM FOR BUREAU HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICERS

This provides the attached memorandum from the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) concerning assistance for Federal employees affected by the hurricane in the Gulf Coast areas.

In response to the destruction, agencies are requested to grant excused absence without charge to leave or loss of pay to employees who are affected by Hurricane Claudette and its aftermath. This policy applies to employees who are prevented from reporting to work or are faced with a personal emergency due to the hurricane and its aftermath, and who can be spared from their usual jobs. This policy also applies to employees who are needed for emergency law enforcement, relief, or clean-up efforts authorized by Federal, State, or other officials with jurisdiction. However, excused absence does not apply to Federal employees who are members of the National Guard or Military Reserves called up to assist. Military leave is appropriate for such employees. In keeping with the Department's current policy for granting excused absence, heads of components which have identified employees in need of excused absence to cope with the hurricane and its aftermath should submit a written request for authority to grant the excused absence to the Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Administration. Such requests will be handled as expeditiously as possible.

OPM also reminds agencies of their authority to waive the bi-weekly limitation on premium pay (5 CFR 550.106) for employees who perform work connected with the tornadoes in Hurricane Claudette and its aftermath. Should the need arise to exercise this authority, please submit a waiver request to the Assistant Attorney General for Administration. For additional information on both the bi-weekly premium pay cap and the annual premium pay limitation, see the fact sheets OPM placed on their Web site. The addresses are provided in the memorandum.

Finally, OPM asks agencies whether there is a need to establish an emergency leave transfer program to assist employees. This program would allow employees in any executive agency to donate unused annual leave for transfer to employees of the same or other agencies, who are adversely affected by the disaster caused by the hurricane, and who need additional time off without having to use their own paid leave. If you identify employees who are in need of emergency leave transfer, please advise us as soon as possible, and we will notify OPM.

Questions concerning leave and absence in connection with this matter should be directed to Margaret Foskey, of the Personnel Staff's Workforce Effectiveness Group. Questions concerning the premium pay provisions affecting employees engaged in emergency efforts should be directed to Jamie Higgins, of the same staff. Ms. Foskey may be reached on (202) 514-6778, and Ms. Higgins may be reached on (202) 514-5781. Employees who have questions concerning these matters should consult appropriate staff in their servicing human resources offices.

Attachment

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