Federal employees’ leave extended to care for wounded

Federal employees’ leave extended to care for wounded
By Leo Shane III, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Friday, August 28, 2009
WASHINGTON — Federal employees can take up to 26 weeks of unpaid leave from their job to care for a servicemember injured in combat under new rules outlined by the White House on Wednesday.

Office of Personnel Management officials said the rules are technically still in the proposal and review stage, but federal agencies have already begun following them based on changes made to the Family and Medical Leave Act earlier this year.

Jerry Mikowicz, deputy assistant director for pay and leave administration, said the goal is to help provide medical and emotional care to a servicemember injured in the line of duty during their recovery. It will also apply to troops who contract a potentially life-threatening disease while serving on active duty.

The unpaid leave applies to troops’ next of kin: a spouse or parent, or even a sibling or cousin who is the closest surviving relative.
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