United States
Office of Personnel Management
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United States
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MEMORANDUM FOR HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES (CPM 2002-04) |
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FROM: |
KAY COLES JAMES |
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SUBJECT: |
National Volunteer Week |
April 21-27, 2002, has been designated as the week to
celebrate
Americas proud tradition of performing
volunteer service in our communities. Federal
employees have a rewarding history of generously giving of their time and talents to
make positive contributions to their communities.
Earlier this
year, President Bush established the USA Freedom Corps to
encourage service and volunteerism in
America.
I ask that you support both the USA Freedom Corps and National
Volunteer Week by ensuring that Federal employees are aware of the various
work scheduling and leave
flexibilities available to enable them to participate in volunteer activities.
The Federal
personnel system provides agencies with considerable flexibility in scheduling
hours of work and leave or other time off from work.
Agencies are encouraged to make appropriate use of these flexibilities
to permit employees to engage in volunteer activities, while giving due
consideration to the effect of the employees absence or change in duty
schedule on work operations and productivity.
Alternative
Work Schedules
Agencies may establish alternative work schedules (i.e.,
flexible or compressed work schedules) for employees who wish to engage in
volunteer activities during normal working hours.
In addition, employees under flexible work schedules may
Leave
and Other Time Off from Work
Employees may request annual leave, leave without pay, or earned compensatory time off to perform volunteer service during normal working hours. Additional information on work schedules and Federal leave policies is available on OPMs Web site at http://opm.gov/oca/index.htm.
In very limited circumstances, agencies may grant employees excused absence
(administrative leave) to participate in volunteer activities.
Each department or agency has discretion to excuse employees from duty
without loss of pay or charge to leave in those situations in which the
employees absence, in the departments or agencys determination, is not
specifically prohibited by law and satisfies one or more of the following
criteria: (1) the absence is
directly related to the department or agencys mission; (2) the absence is
officially sponsored or sanctioned by the head of the department or agency; (3)
the absence will clearly enhance the professional development or skills of the
employee in his or her current position; or (4) the absence is brief and is
determined to be in the interest of the agency.
Ultimately, it is the responsibility of each department or agency head to
balance support for employees volunteer activities with the need to ensure
that employees work requirements are fulfilled and that agency operations are
conducted efficiently and effectively.
By their direct involvement in community activities, Federal employees have become an invaluable resource to our citizens. I encourage you to do everything in your power to ensure that this tradition of service continues.
If you have any questions about Federal pay and leave policies, please contact our Pay and Leave Administration Division on (202) 606-2858 or send an email message to payleave@opm.gov.