Late Friday afternoon, President Obama signed an Executive Order excusing executive branch non-Postal Service employees from duty for the last half of the scheduled workday on Thursday, December 24, 2015, with pay and without a charge to leave. This means that most federal employees will receive a half day of holiday leave on Dec. 24.
In a memo issued by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), separate policies for employees with unusual work schedules are addressed, such as firefighter – whose job is more fluid in responsibilities. However, the memo makes clear that employees who, “in the judgment of the head of the agency, cannot be excused for reasons of national security, defense, or other essential public need” may be exempt from this half day of holiday leave. Any employee that finds themselves required to work on the excused Dec. 26 day will be granted holiday premium pay.
Also explained in the memo are a numerous special situations that may apply to federal employees, including guidance on the effect to employees in a “use it or lose it” situation with their annual leave. Additionally, federal employees that had already scheduled annual leave for that day will not have the day removed from their annual leave totals. For any remaining questions, consult the OPM memo for further clarification.
Late Friday, President Obama granted federal employees a half day of holiday leave for Dec. 24