Friday, May 7, 2021
Emergency Federal Employee Leave update
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Postal Service have issued guidance implementing the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which was signed into law on March 11, 2021. This law created an important new leave category called Emergency Federal Employees Leave (EFEL). Prior to OPM issuing guidance, the Postal Service has been approving EFEL on an interim basis in two-week increments.
When requesting this leave, employees will need to submit a completed PS Form 3971, Request for or Notification of Absence and a COVID-19 Emergency Federal Employee Leave (EFEL) Employee Notification and Leave Request Form along with documentation supporting the need for the leave. Employees will also need to submit a signed Employee Agreement in Connection with Emergency Federal Employee Leave (FEEL) Provided Under Section 4001 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 before the first use of EFEL. Employees who used EFEL beginning March 11, 2021 under the Postal Service’s interim leave policy must also complete and submit these forms along with the supporting documentation.
The Postal Service has issued guidance and frequently asked questions on EFEL. To view these documents and the forms referenced above, click here.
NALC will continue to provide updates regarding this leave as they become available.