Fed grants leave to demobilized reservists

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In a Nov. 14 memorandum, President George W. Bush directed executive departments and agencies to grant five days of uncharged, administrative leave from civilian duties to federal employees returning from active-duty to reservist status.

"The federal government will continue to be the model for employer support to the Guard and Reserve," wrote the president in the memorandum. "We are the guarantors of the rights of returning (servicemembers) under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, and I am personally committed to providing each of them with our full support, recognition and assistance."

Kay Coles James, director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, issued guidance to department and agency heads on implementing the president's order.

"Many of our employees have endured great disruption to their families and their normal lives as a result of their service in the war against terrorism," James said. "Therefore, I join the president in urging that agencies do everything possible to ease their return to civilian life."

The five work days of excused absence covers employees who were activated for military service in connection with operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. (Courtesy of Air Force Reserve Command News Service)