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If an officer is healthy, but stays home because he/she has been in direct contact with individuals infected with the flu, in what pay/leave status is he/she placed?
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Answer:
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Corps officers in this situation may request annual leave. An officer who has an
episodic alternative workplace plan on file in OCCO may also request to work from
the approved alternate site. Sick leave may be used only if the officer is ill or
incapacitated.
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Question: |
If an officer is healthy but stays home because a child has been in contact with individuals infected with the flu, in what pay/leave status is he/she placed?
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Answer:
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Corps officers in this situation may request annual leave. An officer who has an episodic alternative workplace plan on file in OCCO may also request to work from the approved alternate site. However, use of an alternative workplace is not a substitute for dependent care. Sick leave may be used only if the officer is ill or incapacitated.
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Question: |
Must an officer have a doctor’s note if requesting to use sick leave for 3 days or more during a pandemic influenza?
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Answer:
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According to CCI CC29.1.4, “Sick Leave,” dated 25 September 1997, a supervisor, the Medical Affairs Branch (MAB) of the Office of Commissioned Corps Support Services, or the Director of OCCO, may request a note for any period of sick leave, as deemed appropriate by the requestor. However, the supervisor, Senior Medical Evaluations Officer of MAB, or the Director of OCCO should consider that health care resources may be overwhelmed during a pandemic, and it may be difficult for officers to get appointments with doctors or other health care providers to verify they are well or no longer contagious.
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Question: |
If a worksite is closed due to pandemic influenza, will officers be placed on excused absence (administrative leave)?
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Answer:
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Though OPM does not anticipate widespread Departmental or Governmental closures, it may be necessary to direct the officer to work from a Federally-approved telecommuting work site, authorize the officer to be placed or place an officer in an episodic alternative workplace assignment, or place the officer on administrative leave until the building is reopened. Officers in mission critical/essential positions (e.g., Watch Officers in the Secretary’s Operations Center, or other positions in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response) will continue to report as required or deemed necessary by their chain of command. Officers will be given direction should the need for the Continuity of Operations (COOP) or Continuity of Government (COG) plans to be activated. Officers and supervisors should have pre-established communication mechanisms (e.g., phone trees, call down lists, listservs, etc.) to notify officers on updates and directions or to provide return-to-duty information as needed.
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Question: |
If an officer shows signs or symptoms of illness, what should the supervisor do? May the officer be placed on excused absence? What is needed for the officer to return to work?
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Answer:
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If an officer is showing signs and symptoms of illness, refer the officer to his/her medical provider (or in an emergency the nearest medical provider, e.g., Federal Occupational Health (FOH), Military Treatment Facility (MTF), or private medical provider). The officer should initiate form PHS-1345, “Request and Authority for Leave of Absence,” prior to departing the duty station and must complete form PHS-1345 upon return from sick leave periods of absence of 1 day or more. A reasonable amount of time should be allotted to allow the officer to recover. An officer may be required to check in with his/her supervisor or be able to provide a doctor’s note, as applicable.
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Question: |
Does a supervisor have the right to solicit a diagnosis when an officer is requesting/returning from sick leave?
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Answer:
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No, but the doctor’s note (if required) can stipulate the officer was out due to illness.
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Question: |
Are Corps officers eligible to receive evacuation payments?
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Answer:
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No, this is a civilian entitlement and there is nothing comparable for members of the uniformed services.
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Question: |
If an officer is ordered to work outside of his/her billet, is she/he eligible for additional pay?
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Answer:
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No. Corps officers sign an affidavit of appointment agreeing to serve to meet the exigencies of the service. However, officers may be entitled to certain special pays such as hazardous pay or flight pay, depending on the assignment. If an officer is reassigned to such position(s), he/she should check with his/her Commissioned Corps Liaison regarding special pay entitlements.
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Question: |
Can HHS OPDIVs/STAFFDIVs or non-HHS organizations to which Corps officers are assigned modify an officer’s hours of work?
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Answer:
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Yes. Corps officers are subject to recall to duty at any time. Flexibility is one of the hallmarks of a uniformed service.
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Question: |
May an officer who is exposed to a pandemic virus outside of his/her current billet description receive Hazardous Duty Pay?
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Answer:
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No. Hazardous Duty Pay may be authorized only for certain specified occupational hazards.
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Question: |
What happens if I get sick while on terminal leave? Will my separation/retirement date be readjusted?
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Answer:
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You should notify your supervisor if you become ill while on terminal leave. If requested you should provide your supervisor with documentation of the start and end dates of your illness. Your terminal leave will be converted to sick leave and your annual leave balance will be adjusted. You may be paid a lump sum leave payment so long as it does not exceed 60 days in a lifetime, including payments made following previous periods of active duty. Decisions regarding your separation date may need to be made by your supervisor and/or administrative chain.
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