ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- We are approaching that time of year when employees need to schedule excess, or "use or lose," annual leave.
All use or lose annual leave must be scheduled and approved in writing on the Request for Leave or Approved Absence (OPM Form71) prior to the beginning of the third pay period prior to the end of the leave year.
The current leave year ends for most Anniston Army Depot employees Jan. 8, 2017.
Employees subject to the maximum carryover of 30 days should be aware the deadline for scheduling "use or lose" leave is Nov. 26, 2016, in order to meet the statutory requirement.
There is a two-step process for having "use or lose" leave which could not be used due to a work exigency restored.
In accordance with Public Law 93-181, enacted Dec. 14, 1973, commanders/directors are responsible for approving exigencies within their organizations. In that capacity, commanders/directors should only be requested to approve exigencies in rare circumstances.
This expectation applies to all employees regardless of grade. Ensure that your managers and supervisors are working with employees to properly schedule and use their excess leave.
If an exigency does occur, which precludes an employee from using scheduled and approved "use or lose" annual leave, the manager/supervisor must process a request for restoration of that forfeited annual leave.
Leave restoration requests should not be initiated until after the beginning of the next leave year -- Jan. 8, 2017. Once approved, a written request must be submitted along with:
1. Originals or copies of the OPM Form 71 showing that the annual leave was scheduled, approved in advance of Nov. 26, 2016, and disapproved with justification and date.
2. A written request to the commander for authorization to restore annual leave previously denied as specified above.
The request for restoration must be submitted through your chain of command, to include your commander, prior to submission to the Civilian Personnel Advisory Center, Bldg. 7, Room 236D.
Scheduled "use or lose" annual leave that could not be used due to illness can also qualify for restoration.
In this situation, the procedures for leave restoration cited above should be followed.
Each leave year hundreds of hours of leave are lost due, primarily, to miscalculations. Those hours represent valuable resources in time and money. No civilian should lose leave unless unforeseen mission-related emergencies occur.
The Voluntary Leave Transfer Program offers a viable alternative for those individuals who wish to donate their excess annual leave to eligible federal employees. On behalf of the VLTP recipients, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for your generosity.
For additional information regarding restored leave procedures, please contact Kelly Smith-O'Hara, HR assistant, at Ext. 5219 or e-mail kelly.m.smith-ohara.civ@mail.mil.
Social Sharing