The U.S. Office of Personnel Management today announced updated resources and policies to support federal employees and their families, including a leave handbook for expecting, fostering, and adopting parents, guidance on federal workforce childcare subsidy programs, and a handbook for employees who may be experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or related forms of abuse or harassment. These policies advance the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to expanding access to care under Executive Order 14095 and underscore Acting Director Rob Shriver’s commitment to ensure federal workers and their families have access to high-quality benefits and support.  The policies and updated resources include: 

• Handbook on Leave and Workplace Flexibilities for Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care.  The handbook incorporates statutory changes to Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) benefits, including twelve weeks of paid parental leave for eligible employees, and guidance on leave and workplace flexibility options that help employees balance work and family responsibilities related to childbirth, adoption, and foster care. Additionally, the handbook provides guidance on two weeks of parental bereavement leave for employees who have experienced the loss of a child, as defined under the policy. Further resources include an updated FMLA 12-Week Entitlement fact sheet and a new Paid Parental Leave fact sheet to help agencies and employees understand and apply these policies. Agencies are encouraged to make sure that employees are aware of all of the leave options available.
  • Any follow up questions may be sent to leavepolicy@opm.gov.  

• Guidance for Agency-Specific Policies on Child Care Subsidy Programs. OPM provides oversight and regulatory guidance to federal agency partners as it relates to the delivery of Child Care Subsidy Programs for the Federal workforce. This renewed guidance highlights best practices and frameworks for implementing effective Child Care Subsidy Programs that support access to high-quality, affordable childcare for qualifying Federal employees. As directed by EO 14095, OPM surveyed agencies to understand the latest program outcome data and critical challenges agencies currently experience in the implementation of their unique Child Care Subsidy programs. As a result, OPM is providing updated guidance and resources that help agencies overcome those challenges and effectively design their programs. We encourage all agencies to engage with this guidance and, through continued partnership with OPM, work to initiate or expand programs in a manner that support agency goals, as well as the needs of their workforce.  
  • Any follow up questions may be sent to worklife@opm.gov.

• Guidance for Agency-Specific Policies Addressing Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking, or Related Forms of Abuse of Harassment. This handbook outlines workplace flexibilities and leave  to employees who may be experiencing these issues, enabling them to seek safety, recover, and maintain work performance. The handbook also provides agencies with direction and resources to support policy and program efforts to fulfill workplace safety goals. Agencies are encouraged to collaborate with employees to explore available options and provide accommodations to the maximum extent practicable -- consistent with mission needs and applicable laws. Through these efforts, the federal government can strengthen supports for affected workers, promote the health and safety of its employees, and improve the quality of its service to the public.
  • Any follow up questions may be sent to worklife@opm.gov.