Flexibility key to assist federal employees during emergencies Published Sept. 11, 2009 ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- Flexibility key to assist federal employees during emergencies The Office of Personnel Management director has provided information regarding human resources flexibilities available to assist federal employees during emergencies. Federal departments and agencies must achieve two equally important goals -- protect the federal workforce, and ensure the continuity of operations. For example, in any geographic area affected by an epidemic or pandemic influenza, there's a potential for increased absenteeism of the federal workforce due to illness or the need to care for sick family members or for children if schools/day care centers close. The flexibilities can help agencies address the issues that may arise when there are high levels of absenteeism. During a crisis, managers and supervisors should be mindful of situations with which employees may be faced and encourage the most liberal use of sick and annual leave, and understand the associated problems. Benefits for employees and eligible family members remain unchanged during emergency situations. Information about employee and family support benefits and policies is available at www.opm.gov/pandemic/agency6h-federalbenefits.pdf. Call the Benefits and Entitlements Service Team at 1-800-525-0102 for non-emergency benefits questions. This information may be relevant during an epidemic or pandemic situation: Leave Flexibilities The federal government offers numerous leave flexibilities to assist employees who are affected in emergency situations, including an epidemic or pandemic influenza. Under current law and regulations, employees may use sick leave, annual leave, advanced annual or sick leave, leave without pay, donated leave under the voluntary leave transfer and leave bank programs, and other paid time off such as compensatory time off and alternative work schedule credit hours. Employees should use sick leave when they're unable to perform their duties due to their own illness or to care for sick family members (i.e., up to 13 days per leave year for routine family care or illness and up to 12 weeks for a serious health condition). Annual leave may be used when a child care center or school is closed and the child is not ill. The Office of Personnel Management requests that agencies consult with us before granting excused absence (administrative leave) in order to facilitate a consistent governmentwide approach. Alternative Work Schedules An agency may implement an alternative work schedule for employees instead of a traditional fixed work schedule to help an employee balance work and personal responsibilities. Under AWS, an employee is able to complete his or her work requirement in less than 10 workdays. With supervisor approval, the employee may choose to adjust arrival and departure times to accommodate doctor appointments, childcare or eldercare issues, or other pressing issues surrounding the related emergency. Agencies should discuss options with their employees to help maximize the employee's productivity at work, while assisting them in meeting their family and personal needs. For additional information on alternative work schedules, view the Handbook on Alternative Work Schedules at www.opm.gov/oca/aws. For more local information, call Dianne Harrison at 552-5583, Pete Baker at 552-7389 or Al Anderson at 552-7409. (Information provided by 3rd Mission Support Squadron)