While agencies will not be required to issue a formal notice to those who are eligible under the upcoming “disabled veteran leave” authority, they “should strive to make employees aware of the disabled veteran leave benefit,” OPM has said.
Under that program—effective for those newly hired, rehired after a break in service of at least 90 days, or after a break in service for military duty of any length—veterans with a 30 percent disability rating or more are eligible for 104 additional hours of sick leave in their first 12 months of employment to use for medical treatments related to that condition. That leave will not carry over beyond that period, however.
OPM in final rule-making in the August 5 Federal Register addressed comments it had received, to proposed rules it issued earlier in the year, suggesting that it set standards for agencies to make sure affected employees know of their new rights.
“While we do not believe it is necessary to incorporate a formal notice requirement in regulations, we will encourage agencies through other means to educate and notify employees regarding the disabled veteran leave benefit,” OPM said, adding that it would pass along to VA a commenter’s suggestion that the VA include a notice of the policy when it certifies that a veteran has a qualifying disability rating.
The rules address issues such as the documentation needed to qualify for the leave, the effect of receiving a disability rating after starting employment, loss of eligibility for those deemed to have recovered, and other technical issues. The final rules also repealed several temporary special leave authorities that have expired, including one dating to 1991.
