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Section 1. Purposes Extended leave without pay (LWOP) for personal development and/or community service may be granted for a period not to exceed one year when one of the following benefits would result: a. For educational purposes when the course of study or research is in line with a type of work performed by the Agency and would contribute to the mission of the Agency; b. Furtherance of a program of interest to the Government (e.g., Peace Corps); or c. For temporary service to non-Federal public or private enterprise and when one or both of the following will result: 1. The service to be performed will contribute to the public welfare; and/or 2. The experience to be gained by the employee will serve the interests of the employing Agency.
Section 2. Approval As a condition for Management's approval of extended leave without pay (LWOP) there should be a reasonable expectation that the employee will return to duty at the end of the LWOP and that the absence will not adversely impact the Agency's mission, and that the employee will submit an advance request commensurate with the length of absence being requested. Section 3. Recall to Work Extended absences of leave may be terminated by Management upon a 30-day written notice to the employee. Terminations will be based upon mission needs.
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Article 22 Educational Development/Community Service Opportunities |
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Article 23 Student Loan Repayment Program |
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Article 24 Travel |
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Section 1. General The Department has established a Student Loan Repayment Program pursuant to 5 U.S. Code § 5379 and 5 CFR 537 and other applicable rules and regulations. The purpose of the program is to attract or retain highly qualified individuals by assisting them in repaying their outstanding Federally insured student loans. There is no entitlement to participation in the program. Repayment of student loans by the Department is at Management's discretion and subject to budgetary considerations.
Section 2. Consideration a. Should an employee wish to be considered for this program, he/she may communicate such interest to the immediate supervisor. Management will provide a response to the employee in a timely manner. b. In accordance with 5 CFR 537.103(a)(5), the Department‘s consideration will ensure fair and equitable treatment. c. In accordance with 5 CFR 537.106(c), repayments of student loans are subject to maximum limits of $10,000 per calendar year and a total of $60,000 per employee.
Section 3. Criteria Criteria applicable to this program are stipulated in 5 U.S. Code § 5379 and 5 CFR 537.105. As pertains to bargaining unit employees, the following apply: a. Written determination. Loan repayments made under this program must be based on a written determination that, in the absence of offering loan repayment benefits, Management would encounter difficulty either in filling the position with a highly qualified candidate, or retaining a highly qualified employee in that position. b. Determination for retention. Payments authorized in order to retain an employee must be based upon a written determination that the high or unique qualifications of the employee or special need of the Department for the employee's services makes it essential to retain the employee, and that, in the absence of offering student loan repayment benefits, the employee would be likely to leave for employment outside the Federal service. This determination must be based on a written description of the extent to which the employee's departure would affect Management's ability to carry out an activity or perform a function that is deemed essential to the Department's mission. c. When selecting employees to receive loan repayment benefits, the Department will, consistent with the merit system principles set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 2301(b) of Title 5 of the U.S. Code, take into consideration the need to maintain a balanced workforce in which women and members of racial and ethnic minority groups are appropriately represented in Government service.
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Section 1. General The Department will adhere to all Government-wide and Departmental rules and regulations and the provisions in this Article in the administration of travel.
Section 2. Scheduling Travel a. Consistent with Management's right to assign work and direct employees and in accordance with law and Government regulations, Management will consider employees' personal needs with respect to scheduling travel, and Management will not ordinarily require travel on the weekends for activities over which the Department has control. b. Management agrees, if administratively controllable, to schedule and arrange for travel of employees to occur within each employee's standard workweek, to the extent practicable. c. Insofar as practicable, travel during non-duty hours shall not be required of an employee. When it is essential that this be required and the employee may not be paid overtime under 5 CFR 550.112(e), the official shall record his reasons for ordering travel at those hours and shall, upon request, furnish a copy of his statement to the employee concerned. d. When travel results from an event which cannot be scheduled or controlled administratively, such travel may be considered hours of employment for pay purposes pursuant to appropriate provisions of Title 5 of the FLSA. e. If the travel is expected to require an employee to be absent from their permanent duty station for three (3) or more months, the employee shall be given at least two weeks advance notification of the date of departure when practicable.
Section 3. Travel Advances Employees are required to use the U.S. Government contractor-issued travel charge card for all official travel expenses unless the employee has an exemption. Exceptions to using the Government contractor-issued travel charge card are set forth in DLMS-7, Section 1-1.105b. Eligible employees can request travel advances in accordance with DLMS-7, Section 1-10.3.
Section 4. Use of Privately Owned Vehicles a. When use of an employee's privately owned vehicle (POV) is authorized as advantageous to the Government, the employee shall be reimbursed at the mileage rate in effect at the time of the travel. b. No employee shall be required to use his or her POV in the course of business unless such use was made a formal condition of employment.
Section 5. Use of Government vehicles a. When Government vehicles are authorized for use for official travel on successive days, with supervisory approval employees may be permitted to keep the car overnight. b. Employees shall be responsible for any additional cost resulting from unauthorized use of a Government vehicle and may be subject to administrative and/or criminal liability for misuse of Government property.
Section 6. Hours of work Employees on travel status will normally be on a fixed 8_-hour schedule. If any time is worked in addition to the fixed 8_-hour schedule, employees may be entitled to credit hours and/or overtime in accordance with appropriate regulations.
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