White House Provides Further Guidance on COVID-19 Vaccination Leave Policy
Agencies are to allow employees up to 4 hours of administrative leave to get a COVID-19 vaccination, and up to 2 days of administrative leave following a dose resulting in an adverse reaction, according to the latest guidance from the White House Safer Federal Workforce Task Force released on August 25.
Comprehensive Paid Leave for Feds
The past year has featured a significant expansion of paid leave for federal employees. Among these new benefits is an additional 15 weeks of emergency paid sick leave for feds who require time off due to either showing symptoms of Covid-19, or in order to take care of a family member who is suffering from Covid-19. Another expansion of paid leave from the past year is the extension of 12 weeks of paid parental leave to all feds with a newborn, newly adopted, or newly fostered child. Now, Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) is making efforts to expand on this paid leave program.
OPM Issues Guidance on Emergency Paid Leave
On April 29, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued guidance to agencies on COVID-19 Emergency Paid Leave, which was authorized in March when Congress approved the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
American Rescue Plan Expands Benefits for Federal Workforce
On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package that expands benefits for the federal workforce and Americans.
New COVID-19 Relief Package Would Expand Benefits for Feds
The House Democrats have released the latest iteration of their COVID-19 relief package, including a provision to expand benefits for federal workers. The bill offers up to 600 hours of paid leave for those who have COVID-19 or are caring for someone who does. This time off can also be applied to parents whose children are learning from home and require supervision. This leave can be used through September 30, 2021.
New Legislation Calls for Expanded Paid Leave for Feds
House Committee on Oversight and Reform Chairwoman Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) recently introduced the Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act, which would provide 12 weeks of paid leave every year to all federal workers to deal with personal illness, care for a family member with illness, or in connection with a family member going on or returning from active military duty.
Congress Finalizes NDAA, Including Federal Leave Provisions
Congress finalized its conference report on the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on December 3, preparing the expansive piece of legislation with provisions related to many agencies and federal employees for a final vote.
Advocating for Feds to Keep Their Earned Leave
Much of what we do here at the Federal Managers Association comes down to trying to get a square deal for feds. We recognize that federal managers do critical work on behalf of the country, and that without them and the work they do, the country would not function as well as it does. From disaster response to building transportation infrastructure to protecting our national security, feds do the hard work of keeping our country safe, prosperous, and strong.
Federal Workers Deemed Essential Allowed to Restore Annual Leave
A new interim final rule by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) explains how agencies can restore annual leave for employees who are deemed essential during the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, most federal employees can carry over 30 days of leave to the following year even if they accrue more. However, agencies can restore “use or lose” privileges in extenuating circumstances.
Paid Parental Leave Fix Gets Cleared Through House NDAA Committee
The FY 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) has passed out of the House Armed Services Committee with a provision extending paid parental leave benefits to all federal employees. Most federal employees were granted paid parental leave in the FY 2020 NDAA, but in what has been described as a technical error due to rushed drafting, several agencies were excluded from receiving the benefit. The provision within the FY 2021 NDAA would extend coverage to the excluded agencies.
Union Points to Problems with Emergency Leave Implementation
Federal employee unions are taking issue with procedures in place at some agencies for obtaining access to Emergency Paid Sick Leave granted to federal employees under the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA). Under EPSLA, all federal employees meeting certain coronavirus-related circumstances are eligible for up to 80 hours of emergency paid sick leave starting April 1.