Washington, D.C.--Office of Personnel Management Director Jim King yesterday issued a notice to heads of Executive departments and agencies providing a summary of the rights and benefits of those federal employees who, as military reservists, are being called to assist in the international efforts in former Yugoslavia. This mobilization is called "Operation Joint Endeavor."

"The Federal Government is by far the largest single employer of members of the Armed Forces Reserves, and we as Federal employees are proud of the dedication and commitment of these fellow workers in a time of international crisis," said Director King.

The package contained specifics on the rights and benefits of federal civilian employees who perform active military duty including information on:

• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP's);
• pay;
• military leave;
• annual and sick leave;
• lump-sum leave payments;
• health benefits;
• life insurance;
• retirement; and,
• return to civilian duty.

On the last point, an employee on military duty is guaranteed the right to return to the position he or she would have held but for the military duty.

"Our first obligation as an employer is to make sure that those friends and colleagues who perform active military duty are able to leave their employment temporarily with the knowledge that their affairs are in order and their rights protected," Jim King continued.

Agencies were urged to share the information with all affected employees as soon as possible.

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