Absence and Leave; Qualifying Exigency Leave

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management is issuing proposed regulations to implement an amendment to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) that creates an additional qualifying reason for leave. Under this amendment, eligible Federal employees may take up to 12 administrative workweeks of FMLA leave without pay due to a qualifying exigency. Qualifying exigencies arise out of the fact that a covered family member is on covered active duty in the Armed Forces or has been notified of an impending call or order to covered active duty status. These regulations would help employees manage family affairs when a family member is on covered active duty.