OPM Rule Expands Leave Benefits

The Office of Personnel Management has broadened the definitions of “family member” and “immediate relative” to give federal employees the use of sick leave, funeral leave, voluntary leave transfer, the voluntary leave bank and emergency leave transfer to attend the needs of same-sex or opposite-sex domestic partners.

Under a final rule published in the June 14 Federal Register, OPM also adds step-parents, step-children, grandparents and grandchildren to the definition of family members. OPM noted that the expanded benefits should make the federal government more competitive in recruiting and retaining highly qualified employees. The new rule becomes effective July 14.