U.S. Office of Personnel Management Compensation Administration

SICK LEAVE TO CARE FOR A FAMILY MEMBER
(and Leave to Serve as a Bone Marrow or Organ Donor)

SICK LEAVE TO CARE FOR A FAMILY MEMBER

Beginning December 2, 1994, most Federal employees may use a total of up to 104 hours (13 workdays) of sick leave each leave year to:

• provide care for a family member who is incapacitated as a result of physical or mental illness, injury, pregnancy, or childbirth;
• provide care for a family member as a result of medical, dental, or optical examination or treatment; or
• make arrangements necessitated by the death of a family member or attend the funeral of a family member.

A covered full-time employee may use 40 hours (5 workdays) of sick leave each leave year for these purposes. An additional 64 hours (8 workdays) of sick leave may be used each year if the employee maintains a balance of at least 80 hours of sick leave in his or her account. Part-time employees and employees with uncommon tours of duty are also covered, and the amount of sick leave permitted for family care and bereavement is pro-rated in proportion to the average number of hours of work in the employee's scheduled tour of duty each week.

"Family member" is defined as:

• spouse, and parents thereof;
• children, including adopted children, and spouses thereof;
• parents;
• brothers and sisters, and spouses thereof; and
• any individual related by blood or affinity whose close association with the employee is the equivalent of a family relationship.

SICK LEAVE FOR ADOPTION

Beginning September 30, 1994, employees are permitted to use sick leave for purposes related to the adoption of a child. Employees may use sick leave for appointments with adoption agencies, social workers, and attorneys; court proceedings; required travel; and any other activities necessary to allow the adoption to proceed.

LEAVE TO SERVE AS A BONE-MARROW OR ORGAN DONOR

Employees are entitled to up to 7 days of paid leave each calendar year to serve as a bone-marrow donor. Employees are also entitled to up to 30 days of leave to serve as an organ donor. Leave for bone marrow and organ donation is a new category of leave that is in addition to annual and sick leave.

This is a brief summary on the use of sick leave for family care, bereavement, and adoption. Employees should contact their agency personnel offices for additional information to assist them in balancing their work and family responsibilities.

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Page updated 9 November  1999