DoD returning to work - can someone answer questions for me?

[Anonymous]

I am a DoD civilian told today I had to return to work tomorrow. Normally this wouldn't be a concern/issue but I am very pregnant. I have at least one doctors appointment a week and my dr might tell me to either stop working (telecommuting isn't allowed) or reduce my hours significantly.
Does anyone know how leave is going to work for DoD civilians at this time? I was under the impression leave wasn't allowed. My husband is working, for example, during the shut down and isn't allowed to take leave.

Does anyone know if we are getting paid regularly if we work?

I have asked my boss and they have no idea. But I don't trust my chain of command (military, not civilian) to know the accurate info so I don't get screwed, but I also have to balance what my doctor recommends for me at the end of my pregnancy.

Thanks for any info some of you might have. This is an odd and unfortunate situation (not pregnancy but that no one knows what the heck is going on!)

[Anonymous]

In our office, excepted employees who needed to take sick leave needed to code it with the furlough code. Since leave is not allowed they were furloughed for the time they were sick

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In our office, excepted employees who needed to take sick leave needed to code it with the furlough code. Since leave is not allowed they were furloughed for the time they were sick

This is what we were told also. If it's a physical health issue they should not make you actually come in, but you will likely not get leave for it -- it will be furlough time or leave without pay.

[Anonymous]

Op here, TJs is what I don't get. If you can't take leave, wouldn't you just put furlough in (and possibly get back pay?).

But for us it's that military pay bill so I don't know what the difference will be. If we re putting in furlough time only to correct tme sheets later, for example.

I don't think our HR has any idea nor do I sense my chain of command cares enough to find out.

[Anonymous]

OP, check the CPP/DCPAS web site. They have a section on furlough guidance. In general they recommend contacting your local HR office but if, as you say, your HR is fairly non responsive you might be able to find a general contact email that will get you to someone who can answer your questions.

[Anonymous]

I'm not DOD. But I am a govt. employee who is exempted/essential.

We were explicitly told that no sick or annual leave was permitted. If we need to take off, it will count as furloughed time.

[Anonymous]

If its furlough time, then isn't it paid?

[Anonymous]

yup..I guess since we will get paid for our furloughed days

[Anonymous]

Op here: this is what my chain can't answer. It's very frustrating. The jerking around, ya know?

I was told 'we think you are getting paid on time' which to me means normal time keeping, so leave can technically be taken. But if I key in furlough for any sick time or undo decide to use sick time until I go into labor, I would get back pay for it....right? The web sites don't indicate anything lol

[Anonymous]

I think it's different for DoD than for excepted employees of other agencies because the basis for calling back DoD civilians is a statute that appropriates funds for pay. For excepted employees, the basis is not availability of appropriations, but necessity. My guess is that if you need to be out after you are called back, you will need to take leave. I am also a DoD civilian being called back and I made an appt for this week assuming I would be off, so I'm going to need to figure this out too. I was assuming I would just take leave.

[Anonymous]

Op here - I was told there is no leave....pp, if you hear anything about this can you report back?
This is so confusing.
I'm dealing with this for my husband too, who is essential at another agency and can't take leave but I am due soon so it should be interesting!

[Anonymous]

America is safe again

[Anonymous]

Op here, I agree that this is bs. Morale, public affairs, etc are completely not essential. If I could stay furloughed I would (not the money issue, but I agree the interpretation is bs)

[Anonymous]

Are the DOD contractors also going back as part of this?

[Anonymous]

Guidance is very unlear on many levels, contractors especially. If you haven't heard fom a superior it might be smart to check in