ALCOAST 224/19 - JUL 2019 EXCUSED ABSENCE FOR RETURNING VOLUNTEER FORCE AND SURGE CAPACITY FORCE EMPLOYEES

R 251319 JUL 19
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-12//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N12900//
ALCOAST 244/19
COMDTNOTE 12900
SUBJ:  EXCUSED ABSENCE FOR RETURNING VOLUNTEER FORCE AND SURGE CAPACITY FORCE EMPLOYEES
1. DHS has authorized excused absence also know as admininstrative leave for returning
Volunteer Force and Surge Capacity Force employees to help returning volunteers
transition back to their permanent position and duties following deployment.
2. DHS Policy Directive 253-09 was effective on 24 June 19 and cannot be used before
that date.
3. Employees who do not exceed the maximum number of 10 calendar days allowed annually
under the Administrative Leave Act and who fulfill their deployment commitments are
allowed a limited amount of excused absence in accordance with the following:
   a. Employee deployed 10-20 calendar days: 1 day of excused absence
   b. Employee deployed 21-35 calendar days: 2 days of excused absence
   c. Employee deployed 36 or more calendar days: 3 days of excused absence
Employees and Supervisors are responsible for tracking the number of excused absence
days taken to not exceed the maximum number of 10 calendar days of administrative leave
allowed annually under the Administrative Leave Act of 2016.
4. One day of excused absence is the number of hours in a day comprising the employee’s
basic workweek and excluding any regularly scheduled overtime, e.g., 8 hours or 8, 9 or
10 hours if on a compressed work schedule. Employees should record the excused absence on
timecards as “Other Paid Leave” with the remark of “Volunteer Force” or “Surge Capacity
Force,” as applicable.
5. Excused absence may be granted for the next regularly scheduled workday immediately
following the end of the deployment. The excused absence is a period for the employees
to rest prior to resuming their normal work schedule. This excused absence is not an
entitlement and employees may not save the time to use at a future date.
6. Under certain limited circumstances, employees who return earlier than their deployment
commitment (e.g., medical, family emergency etc.), may be granted an excused absence at
management discretion.
7. The Excused Absence for Returning Volunteer Force and Surge Capacity Force Employees
policy is located on the DHS Connect webpage:
http://dhsconnect.dhs.gov/org/comp/mgmt/policies/Directives/253-09.pdf#search=253%2D09
8. Ms. Michelle R. Godfrey, Director of Civilian Human Resources, Diversity and
Leadership, sends.
9. Internet release is authorized.