Team CECOM,
As a reminder with the upcoming election, although most civilian employees may take part in political activities, the extent and nature of that participation is limited by the Hatch Act and DoD policy. No employees may use their official authority or influence to affect the outcome of an election or to solicit, accept, or receive political contributions. In addition, no employees may engage in political activity while on duty (including teleworking), in the federal workplace, wearing a government uniform or badge, or using a government vehicle.
Typically, polling places throughout the United States are open for extended periods of time, and an increasing number of jurisdictions are offering early voting options. Therefore, excused absence should rarely be needed. However, CECOM is granting employees limited time off from work (i.e. excused absence) to vote on Tuesday, 3 November. Civilian employees who are eligible and who desire to vote in the upcoming election may be excused as follows to the extent that such time off does not interfere with operations:
a. Within normal commuting distance (40 miles) of the worksite where the polls are NOT open at least 3 hours before or after an employee's regular work hours, supervisors may grant an amount of excused absence which will permit the employee to report for work 3 hours after the polls open or leave from work 3 hours before the polls close, whichever requires the lesser amount of time off. For example, if the polls are open from 0700-1900 and the employee's tour of duty starts at 0800 and ends at 1700, the supervisor may grant one hour of excused absence for the employee to vote at the end of the duty day.
b. Where the polls are open either three hours before or three hours after the employee's regularly scheduled duty hours, no time off is granted.
c. If an employee's voting place is beyond normal commuting distance (40 miles) and vote by absentee ballot by mail or vote by absentee ballot on a non-workday is not permitted, the supervisor may grant excused absence (not to exceed one workday) to allow the employee to make the trip to the voting place to cast a ballot.
Please contact your immediate supervisor with any questions. Time spent on an excused absence must be recorded in ATAAPS. Please contact the ATAAPS administrator for coding information.
On Thursday, 29 October, APG will hold a Disability Awareness Month observance from 1000-1130 EST, and I encourage the entire CECOM community to attend. This year's guest speakers are Mr. Michael Young, Senior Program Director for the DOD Computer Electronics Program, and Ms. Anne Hirsh, Director of the Job Accommodation Network. The event will be held on Microsoft Teams at the following link:
https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_MTVhN2FiMjUtMWYwMC00OTQzLTkzNjgtZDRjOWY3N2QwNzNl%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%2221acfbb3-32be-4715-9025-1e2f015cbbe9%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%2264d32387-b2c4-4471-bf57-f2d7460aecdd%22%2c%22IsBroadcastMeeting%22%3atrue%7d
Thank you for your commitment and service to our Soldiers.
Sincerely,
Larry Muzzelo
Deputy to the Commanding General
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