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A1. A civilian employee is entitled to 5 days of excused absence after he or she returns from active military service in connection with the continuing Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) -- such as those called to active duty as part of Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, as well as any other current or future military operations deemed to be part of the GWOT.

A2. The intent of the President's memorandum is to grant 5 days of paid time off (excused absence) to employees returning to Federal civilian service from active duty to aid in their readjustment to civilian life. The President's memorandum anticipates Federal employees will serve a significant period of time on active duty in support of the GWOT.

An employee must be on active duty in support of the GWOT for at least 42 consecutive days to qualify for 5 days of excused absence. An employee does not qualify for excused absence for active duty of less than 42 days or for an accumulation of 42 or more days of active duty if at least one of the activations does not meet the 42 consecutive days standard. However, agencies may exercise their normal policies to grant excused absence in circumstances not covered by this policy.

A3. Agencies must provide an employee returning from active military service consisting of at least 42 consecutive days in support of GWOT with 5 days of excused absence upon his or her return to Federal civilian service to aid in readjustment to civilian life. Upon receiving notification from an employee of his or her intent to return to civilian duty on a specific date, an agency must grant the employee 5 days of excused absence immediately prior to the employee's actual resumption of his or her duties. The commencement of the 5 days of excused absence represents a return to Federal civilian employment, and the employee is obligated to report for work at the end of the 5-day period.

If the employee had already returned to Federal civilian service prior to the issuance of the Presidential memorandum on November 14, 2003, or was not granted the 5 days of excused absence for a second or subsequent period of active duty outside the original 12-month period (see Q&A 5 and 6), he or she may schedule the 5 days of excused absence at a time mutually agreeable to the employee and the agency.

A4. The 5 days of excused absence do not affect the time limits for exercising restoration rights, because the commencement of the 5 days of excused absence constitutes a return to Federal civilian service. For example, an employee may take whatever grace period is allowed under part 353 and, in addition, is entitled to 5 days of excused absence.

A5. Yes. Generally, an employee may be granted 5 days of excused absence after he or she returns from at least 42 consecutive days of active military service in connection with the continuing Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) -- such as those called to active duty as part of Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, as well as any other current or future military operations deemed to be part of the GWOT. However, for subsequent periods of active duty in support of the GWOT, an agency may not grant more than 5 days of excused absence within a 12-month period. The 12-month period begins on the first day of excused absence and ends 365 days later. See the Eligibility Examples following Question 13.

An employee called to active duty on multiple occasions is entitled to receive 5 days of excused absence as long as the service meets the 42 consecutive days standard and does not end within the 12-month limitation. If the employee has already returned to Federal civilian service and was not granted 5 days of excused absence for a second or subsequent period of active duty, he or she may schedule the 5 days of excused absence at a time mutually agreeable to the employee and the agency.

A6. No. The subsequent active duty does not result in another 5 days of excused absence if it falls within the 12-month limitation . The employee is not eligible for another 5 days of excused absence under this policy, even if held for use at the end of the 12-month period. A subsequent period of active duty of at least 42 consecutive days must end after the end of the current 12-month period for the employee to be eligible for another 5 days of excused absence. See the Eligibility Examples following Question 13.

A7. Agencies have discretion to provide excused absence to the extent that such time off does not interfere with agency operations. If agencies determine or have determined that extra periods of excused absence were authorized as such, there would be no "excess" or "unauthorized" excused absence for the employee to repay.

A8. Yes. The intent of the President's memorandum is to provide returning employees with a continuous period of paid time off to spend with their families before returning to Federal civilian service, except in the two situations described in Q&A 9.

A9. No. The 5 days of excused absence must be granted as soon as the employee reports back for Federal civilian duty or notifies the agency of his or her intent to return to civilian duty, except in two situations:

1. If the employee had already returned to Federal civilian service prior to the issuance of the Presidential memorandum on November 14, 2003, he or she may take the 5 days of excused absence at a time that is mutually agreeable to the employee and the agency.
2. If the employee has already returned to Federal civilian service and was not granted the 5 days of excused absence for a second or subsequent period of active duty, he or she may take the 5 days of excused absence at a time mutually agreeable to the employee and the agency.

The 5 days of excused absence may not be "stockpiled" for use at a later date. In addition, the 5 days of excused absence is not to be confused with "credit hours" earned under a flexible work schedule or compensatory time off earned for overtime hours.

A10. Yes, the President's memorandum applies to all employees who were called to active duty in support of the continuing Global War on Terrorism.

A11. No. The President's memorandum specifically addresses "returning Federal civil servants who were called to active duty." A new employee who was not a Federal civilian employee at the time of his or her activation does not qualify for the 5 days of excused absence.

A12. Each employee is entitled to the equivalent of 1 workweek of excused absence. The period of excused absence for an employee on an uncommon tour of duty or an employee on a part-time work schedule will be prorated according to the number of hours in the employee's regularly scheduled workweek. For example:

A13. No. Each employee who was activated for military service in connection with the continuing Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) -- such as those called to active duty as part of Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, as well as any other current or future military operations deemed to be part of the GWOT -- is entitled to the equivalent of 1 workweek of excused absence.