September 23, 2002

MEMORANDUM FOR ALL DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE EMPLOYEES

(EXCEPT FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR U.S. TRUSTEES)

The open enrollment period for the Voluntary Leave Bank Program (VLBP) will be held from October 7 through December 13, 2002. Enrollment during this period will result in Leave Bank membership for leave year 2003, which begins on January 12, 2003. During the enrollment period, employees may become members of the Leave Bank by contributing "accrued" annual leave to the Bank. The minimum contribution required is two pay periods accrual of annual leave (8, 12, or 16 hours). A Request for Leave or an Approved Absence (OPM Form 71 or SF-71), which may be obtained from your timekeeper, Personnel Office, or accessed through Informs on your computer, should be used to (1) apply for Leave Bank membership, (2) make non-membership contributions, or, (3) make specific donations. Use-or-lose annual leave and donations above the minimum amount required for membership are encouraged. All use-or-lose annual leave donations should be noted as such in the Remarks section on the Application.

Leave Bank membership contributions must be donated during the open season; however, donations will be accepted at any time during the year from employees who wish to make specific donations to approved leave recipients, or to donate leave to the Bank but not become a Leave Bank member. Donations to specific employees, who have been approved by the Leave Bank Board as leave recipients, are given to the individual specified by the donor. However, unused leave remaining from specific donations are deposited into the Bank. All other contributions are deposited immediately into the Leave Bank for member use. Specific donations or contributions other than for membership do not entitle the donor to Leave Bank membership.

The Department has provided the opportunity for leave sharing under two similar but separate programs, the VLBP and the Voluntary Leave Transfer Program (VLTP). Employees experiencing medical emergencies may receive leave from both Programs simultaneously, provided they meet the requirements of each. In addition, if you qualify as a leave recipient under either Program, your absence from work must be approved by your supervisor. Membership in the VLBP does not create an automatic entitlement to leave; it enables employee members, who have no other recourse, to seek relief when faced with significant loss of pay due to a medical emergency.

Leave year 2002 open season yielded approximately 39,000 hours of donated leave. To date, those donations have enabled the Board to assist approximately 110 members. Due to the generosity of Department employees, these employee members were provided a measure of financial support while they were burdened with health concerns.

Please contact your Leave Sharing Coordinator listed below or local Personnel Office if you wish to become a Leave Bank member, make a contribution or have any questions regarding this Program. You may also visit our website at www.usdoj.gov/jmd/ps/guibank.htm.

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