Our Fed Government at it's best -

[Mattie]

As an ex-federal employee who loved the job, enjoyed the time I spent, they are still very policy driven.

We wonder why there is so much red tape - but I can't believe they are posting this on the Army Corps of Engineers report.

The Office of Personnel Management has established a program for those federal employees who wish to donate annual leave to other employees so federal employees hit by Hurricane Katrina can get time off from work without having to use their own paid leave, or to have extra leave it they use up their own leave. Use this form: http://www.opm.gov.forms/pdf_fill/opm1638.pdf and submit to your human resources office.

In normal circumstances I myself donated annual leave for fellow employees that did not have the resources and we didn't want them to miss a check. However - this is a National Disaster and they would even consider trying to recoup that time? There isn't enough annual leave to support all of the displaced federal employees and they will indeed miss a check or be in the hole whenever and however they return to work.

[alicia-w]

Office of Personnel Management Director Linda M. Springer Tuesday issued a memorandum on the release of the Handbook on Pay and Federal Leave Benefits for Federal Employees Affected by Severe Weather Conditions or Other Emergency Situations.



The Handbook is divided into three sections, Pay and Leave Benefits for Employees Prevented from Working in an Area Affected By Severe Weather Emergencies or Other Emergency Situations, Pay and Leave Benefits for Employees Required to Work in an Area Affected by Severe Weather Emergencies or Other Emergency Situations, and Other Pay and Leave Benefits and provides guidance on various issues, including:



* Furlough



* Advanced Payments, Evacuation Payments



* Military Leave



* Compensatory Time Off in Lieu of Overtime Pay



* Hazardous Duty Pay/Environmental Differential Pay



* Travel as Work Hours



* Retention, Relocation and Recruitment Incentives



In addition to the many topics in the Handbook, OPM provides Web links for further information.



"We will continue to work with affected agencies to minimize the disruption of the business of the federal government caused by Hurricane Katrina and to ensure the successful recovery of operations," stated Springer in the memorandum.



Agency and department heads searching for further information are suggested to contact their assigned OPM Human Capital Officer. Employees seeking further information should contact their agency human resources offices for assistance.
http://www.opm.gov/oca/compmemo/2005/2005-18hb.pdf

[Mattie]

Hopefully they will assist our evacuees and help them get through this trying time without too much distress on worrying about benefits!

I have friends working for the Federal Gov't that are worried about being in the hole.