President Clinton has asked each department and agency to review its work scheduling practices to allow federal employees time off to perform volunteer work.
"Citizen service is one of the most important ways we demonstrate that we care for and are responsible for one another," Clinton wrote in a memorandum to department and agency heads. "It is also an American tradition that we meet our challenges as members of a true community, with all of us working together."
In this spirit, Clinton also directed agencies to explore additional measures to expand service opportunities and to make employees aware of flexibilities already available.
Department and agency heads must inform the Office of Personnel Management within 90 days of their efforts to grant federal employees time off for community service.
"By direct involvement in community activities, I believe federal employees can become an invaluable resource in the effort to make our country a better place to live," OPM Director Janice Lachance said.
OPM has issued a memorandum to agency heads on how they can encourage employee participation in volunteer activities. The guidance details a variety of potential work arrangements for employees who want to volunteer during working hours.
Employees may participate in flexible or compressed work schedules "only to the extent expressly provided under a collective bargaining agreement," the memo says. Employees may also use "credit hours"--time accumulated in excess of basic work requirements--to volunteer.
Agencies may grant employees annual leave, leave without pay, compensatory time off or, in limited situations, excused absences for volunteer activities.
OPM also encourages agencies to recognize their employees who volunteer with letters of appreciation or small mementos such as a "You Make a Difference" pin or mug. But agencies are prohibited from offering monetary incentives or paid time off as incentives to volunteer.
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