Comment from Anonymous
AnonymousSupportIndividual
Summary: The commenter suggests expanding the list of acceptable uses for administrative leave to include time for an employee to relocate for a new appointment or assignment. They argue that this is already common practice and should be codified in the regulations to ensure consistency.
The examples of acceptable uses of administrative leave proposed in 5 C.F.R. 630.1403(c) should include time for an employee to effectuate a change in his or her residence to a different geographic area in order to begin a new appointment or assignment. Such administrative leave is currently routinely granted as a matter of policy; indeed, some agencies have guidance saying it is granted "as a matter of course." It makes little sense to propose a specific regulation at 5 C.F.R. 630.1403(c)(7), when a qualifying spouse triggers a relocation, without also including a specific regulation where the agency offers or directs a new appointment TO THE EMPLOYEE THEMSELVES that involves a relocation. PROPOSED LANGUAGE: "to allow an employee to effectuate a change in his or her residence to a different geographic area in order to accept a new appointment or assignment."