The CDC or other health agency will provide information related to the length of time an
individual remains contagious, as well as current recommendations for social distancing, etc. For information specific to COVID-19, please view
CDC’s website. In the case of an epidemic or
pandemic, agency personnel actions aimed at preventing the spread of a disease may be
taken because of the guidance or directive of public health officials regarding the general
danger to public health.
Generally, an agency should not prohibit an employee from reporting to work unless it
has evidence or a reasonable concern that an employee is physically unable to perform
his or her job, or their presence in the workplace poses a risk of infection to
others. Whenever possible, sick employees should be encouraged to take leave, such as
sick leave, annual leave, advanced leave, other paid time off (e.g., earned compensatory
time off, earned credit hours), or leave without pay. Excused absence (administrative
leave) may be used if other options are not feasible and it is necessary to prevent an
employee from being at the worksite and possibly putting other employees at risk.
Excused absence is a paid, non-duty status that does not require the employee’s consent
or request and does not trigger adverse action procedures. In addition, excused absence
can provide time for the agency to seek appropriate evidence regarding the employee’s
health. In other cases, such as when an employee refuses to take leave voluntarily, a
supervisor may find it appropriate to enforce the employee’s use of leave. Supervisors
should consult with appropriate HR staff and general counsel before taking such a step,
because enforced leave is an adverse action that imposes procedural requirements (i.e.,
advance notice, an opportunity to reply, the right to representation, and an agency
decision) before actually enforcing the use of leave. Enforced leave of 14 days or less
may be subject to agency administrative grievance procedures or negotiated grievance
procedures. In addition, enforced leave lasting longer than 14 days may be appealed to
the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) or potentially grieved under any applicable
negotiated grievance procedure. Supervisors need to consult with their HR office and
legal counsel when deciding to enforce the use of leave, to ensure that the action is
permissible and defensible before a third party.
Last Updated: 3/7/2020