Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Office of Personnel Management has issued a memorandum reiterating human resources flexibilities available to help federal employees during their recovery from personal or property loss in the wake of flooding along the Mississippi River.

The memo released by OPM Director Linda M. Springer also offers HR flexibilities to help federal agency leaders minimize disruption to service delivery.

Springer said the memo and links to information on specific HR flexibilities will "remind agencies of the various human resources flexibilities currently available to assist federal employees affected by severe weather conditions and their aftermath or other emergency situations."

Today's memo includes summary information and links to detailed descriptions of HR flexibilities on pay and leave benefits; telework; emergency hiring and Direct-Hire Authority, among others.

In addition, a link to the Handbook on Pay and Leave Benefits for Federal Employees Affected by Severe Weather Emergencies or Other Emergency Situations has information on salary advances to employees ordered to evacuate for safety reasons; excused absence with pay; travel and subsistence payments; telework; and various pay contingencies.

In a separate statement, Springer said the entirety of flexibilities gives agencies tools to "help mitigate the emotional stress of employees impacted by natural disasters, while positioning agencies to continue providing vital government services to America's taxpayers."

Similar memoranda from OPM have been issued over the years after natural disasters, including the California wildfires.

A copy of the memo and Handbook on Pay and Leave Benefits can be found at www.chcoc.gov/Transmittals/Attachments/trans1336.pdf. (10.73 mb)