Using Leave For Care

By Elizabeth Saloom, July 31, 2003

And Bereavement Feds are entitled to use a certain amount of their sick leave each year to take care of an incapacitated family member or to make a relative's funeral arrangements. Although they can only use up to 104 hours (13 workdays) for these purposes, they are allowed up to 12 weeks of sick leave to take care of a family member with a serious health condition.

Serious health conditions include cancer, heart attacks, strokes, severe injuries, Alzheimer's disease, pregnancy and childbirth. The common cold, the flu, earaches, or upset stomach are not considered serious health conditions.

A covered full-time employee can use 40 hours of sick leave each year, as well as an additional 64 hours if the employee maintains a sick leave balance of at least 80 hours.

Part-time employees and employees with uncommon tours of duty are covered too, and the amount of sick leave permitted for family care and bereavement is pro-rated in proportion to the average number of hours the employee works each week. Agencies may advance only the first 40 hours of sick leave.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) defines family members as: a spouse and the spouse's parents; children, including adopted children, and their spouses; parents; brothers and sisters, and their spouses; and any individual related by blood or who has an association with the employee that equals a family relationship.

If an employee previously has used any portion of the 13 days of sick leave for general family care or bereavement purposes, that amount is subtracted from the 12-week entitlement. If an employee has already used 12 weeks of sick leave, he or she cannot use an additional 13 days in the same leave year.