WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has authorized the use of an emergency leave transfer program (ELTP) for federal employees adversely affected by the 2023 Arkansas severe storms and tornadoes.

After coordinating with federal agencies to assess the impact on employees adversely affected by these severe storms and tornadoes and their aftermath, OPM, in consultation with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), has determined that the establishment of an ELTP is warranted. The establishment of an ELTP permits employees in the executive and judicial branches or agency leave banks established under 5 U.S.C. 6363 to donate unused leave for transfer to employees within their agency or at other agencies who are severely affected by an emergency and who need additional time off from work without having to use their own paid leave. This ELTP will assist federal employees in affected locations in Arkansas.

Agencies with employees adversely affected by these events are in the best position to determine whether, and how much, donated annual leave is needed by their employees and which of their employees have been adversely affected by the emergency within the meaning of OPM regulations. They are also in the best position to quickly facilitate the transfer of donated annual leave within their agencies.

Due to these factors, agencies are responsible for administering the ELTP for their own affected employees. Employees should contact their servicing agency human resources office for further information on the emergency leave transfer program.