Employees

ELM REVISION

Reference Correction Concerning Annual Leave Sharing

Effective March 17, 2005, Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM) 512.64 is revised to show that instructions for the administration of the terms and conditions of the Annual Leave Sharing Program are found in MI EL-510-2003-2, Annual Leave Sharing Program.

We will incorporate this revision into the next printed version of the ELM and also into the online version, available on the Postal ServiceTM PolicyNet Web site:

• Go to http://blue.usps.gov.

• Under "Essential Links" in the left-hand column, click on References.

• Under "References" in the right-hand column under "Policies," click on PolicyNet.

• Click on Manuals.

(The direct URL for the Postal Service PolicyNet Web site is http://blue.usps.gov/cpim.)

It is also available on the Postal Service Internet:

• Go to www.usps.com.

• Click on About USPS & News, then Forms & Publications, then Postal Periodicals and Publications, and then Manuals.

Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM)

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5 Employee Benefits

510 Leave

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512 Annual Leave

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512.6 Vacation Planning and Special Programs

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512.64 Annual Leave Sharing

[Revise text of 512.64 to read as follows:]

The annual leave-sharing program provides employees the opportunity to receive and use donated annual leave and to donate their annual leave to another employee under certain conditions. The program is limited to career nonbargaining unit and bargaining unit employees and to noncareer employees designated as transitional employees (TEs) under certain collective bargaining agreements. The terms and conditions for this program are set forth in applicable collective bargaining unit agreements and memorandums of understanding. Instructions for administration of the terms and conditions are found in Management Instruction EL-510-2003-2, Annual Leave Sharing Program.

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- Compensation,
Employee Resource Management, 3-17-05

ELM REVISION

Terminal Leave Payment

Effective March 17, 2005, Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM) 512.73 is modified to (a) clarify the amounts to which employees may be entitled whether or not they separate under the Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA), (b) include all the various kinds of leave that may be represented in the terminal leave payment for nonbargaining and bargaining unit employees, and (c) specify that the beneficiaries or estates of nonbargaining unit employees who die in service receive the same terminal leave payments that the employees would have received if they had separated while living. The section is broken into subsections and reorganized for clarity. These changes update the ELM text with policy previously in effect.

We will incorporate these revisions into the next printed version of the ELM and also into the online version, available on the Postal ServiceTM PolicyNet Web site:

• Go to http://blue.usps.gov.

• Under "Essential Links" in the left-hand column, click on References.

• Under "References" in the right-hand column, click on PolicyNet.

• Click on Manuals.

(The direct URL for the Postal Service PolicyNet Web site is http://blue.usps.gov/cpim.)

It is also available on the Postal Service Internet:

• Go to www.usps.com.

• Click on About USPS & News, then Forms & Publications, then Postal Periodicals and Publications, and then Manuals.

Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM)

* * * * *

5 Employee Benefits

510 Leave

* * * * *

512 Annual Leave

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512.7 Separation Adjustments

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[Revise the title and text for 512.73 to read as follows:]

512.73 Lump Sum Terminal Leave Payment

512.731 General

Separating employees may receive lump sum terminal leave payments subject to the following conditions:

a. Completion of Qualifying Period. Except for those employees identified under 512.812, employees who separate before completing the 90-day qualifying period forfeit terminal leave payment for accrued leave. Employees who complete the 90-day qualifying period, even if separated at the close of business on day 90, may be entitled to terminal leave payment for accrued leave.

b. Completion of Pay Period. Employees whose separation is effective before the last Friday of a pay period do not receive leave credit or terminal leave payment for the leave that would have accrued during that pay period.

512.732 Entitlement Amounts

Separating employees may receive lump sum terminal leave payments as follows:

a. Nonbargaining Unit Employees. Nonbargaining unit employees may receive a lump sum leave payment for accumulated annual leave carried over from the previous year; accrued annual leave for the year in which they separate, including amounts over the carryover maximum; any unused donated leave; and for full-time and part-time regular employees, holidays that fall within the terminal leave period.

b. Bargaining Unit Employee. Bargaining unit employees may receive a lump sum leave payment:

(1) If separating other than under the Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA), for accumulated annual leave carried over from the previous year; accrued annual leave for the year in which they separate, up to the carryover maximum for their bargaining unit (see 512.32); any unused donated leave; and for full-time and part- time regular employees, holidays that fall within the terminal leave period. Any part of the unused annual leave earned during the leave year of separation that is in excess of the maximum carryover amount is granted prior to separation rather than paid out in the form of a lump sum payment. No payment is made for unused leave that the employee would have been required to forfeit at the end of the leave year.

(2) If separating under VERA, for accumulated annual leave carried over from the previous year; accrued annual leave for the year in which they separate, including amounts over the carryover maximum for their bargaining unit; any unused donated leave; and for full-time and part-time regular employees, holidays that fall within the terminal leave period.

Note: Transitional employees receive payment for accrued annual leave at the end of their appointment.

512.733 Separation for Military Service

Employees who separate to enter active U.S. military duty may choose to receive a lump sum leave payment or to have their accrued annual leave balance held for credit until they return to Postal Service duty.

512.734 Separation Followed by Reemployment

Employees who receive a lump sum leave payment on separation from a Postal Service position (or a federal position under the federal leave system) and who are reemployed or reinstated to a leave-earning status before the period covered by the payment expires must refund to the Postal Service in full the payment for the overlapping period. These employees may then be recredited (see 512.9) with leave.

512.735 Absence of Relationship to Annuity Payment

Lump sum payment for annual leave at the time of retirement does not affect the amount or commencement date of annuity payments.

512.736 Payment to Beneficiaries or Estates of Employees Who Die in Service

If employees die in service, terminal leave payments are made as follows:

a. The beneficiaries or estates of nonbargaining unit employees receive terminal leave payments that are the same as the payments to which the employees would have been entitled if they had separated while living (see 512.732a).

b. The beneficiaries or estates of bargaining unit employees receive terminal leave payments that are the same as the payments to which the employees would have been entitled if they had separated while living (see 512.732b(1)) with the provision that the amount includes payment for accrued annual leave in excess of the maximum carryover amount that the employees could have taken if they had lived to the end of the leave year, but not for accrued annual leave that the employees would have been required to forfeit.

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- Compensation,
Employee Resource Management, 3-17-05

ELM REVISION

Limitations to Corrective Entitlement on Back Pay Claims

Effective March 17, 2005, Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM) section 436.2, Limitations, is revised to comply with a ruling of the Merit System Protection Board (MSPB) dating from October 17, 1994, that allowed protections for individuals eligible for veterans' preference in employment matters. This ELM revision adds exceptions to items b and d for such individuals who (1) do not have to make reasonable efforts to obtain other employment while pursuing an administrative appeal and (2) are entitled to unlimited annual leave restoration if they receive such an award from the MSPB. The ELM revision also reorganizes item b for clarification.

We will incorporate these revisions into the next printed version of the ELM and also into the online version, available on the Postal ServiceTM PolicyNet Web site:

• Go to http://blue.usps.gov.

• Under "Essential Links" in the left-hand column, click on References.

• Under "References" in the right-hand column, under "Policies," click on PolicyNet.

• Click on Manuals.

(The direct URL for the Postal Service PolicyNet Web site is http://blue.usps.gov/cpim.)

It is also available on the Postal Service Internet:

• Go to www.usps.com.

• Click on About USPS & News, then Forms & Publications, then Postal Periodicals and Publications, and then Manuals.

Summary of Changes

Subchapter 430, Basic and Special Pay Provisions

436.2, Limitations, is modified to add exceptions to items b and d for individuals eligible for veterans' preference, who do not have to make reasonable efforts to obtain other employment while pursuing an administrative appeal with the MSPB and who are entitled to unlimited annual leave restoration if they receive such an award from the MSPB. Item b is also reorganized for clarification.

Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM)

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4 Pay Administration

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430 Basic and Special Pay Provisions

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436 Back Pay

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436.2 Limitations

Limitations to corrective entitlement are as follows:

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[Revise item b to read as follows:]

b. Back pay is allowed, unless otherwise specified in the appropriate award or decision, provided the employee has made reasonable efforts to obtain other employment, as follows (see also 436.42g):

(1) Job applicants not hired by the Postal Service must immediately make reasonable efforts to obtain other employment.

(2) Separated employees, or employees on indefinite suspension, are allowed 45 days before they must make reasonable efforts to obtain other employment.

Exception: Postal Service employees eligible for veterans' preference are not required to make reasonable efforts to obtain other employment while pursuing an administrative appeal with the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB).

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[Revise item d to read as follows:]

d. Leave that is recredited as a result of the corrective action may not exceed the maximum amount of leave to which the employee was eligible (see 512.321).

Exception: Postal Service employees eligible for veterans' preference are entitled to uncapped annual leave restoration if a removal is reversed or modified by the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB).

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- Compensation,
Employee Resource Management, 3-17-05

Celebrating Women's History Month

March is Women's History Month. As we embark on this month-long celebration, it is important that we fully understand the contributions women have made throughout time. The list is endless, but one worth reading. A review of this list would reveal the names of women who, despite the circumstances of the times, were able to rise above prejudices and make an everlasting impact on our world.

Women from all walks of life have been on a journey to make our world better. Their achievements prove that there is no hurdle that cannot be cleared, and no barrier that cannot be broken.

Women's History Month will be even more special this year. This past September marked the 30^th anniversary of the Women's Program in the U.S. Postal Service®. For the past 30 years, the organization has been at the forefront in providing employment and developmental opportunities to women. Today there are more than 270,000 women employed by the Postal ServiceTM, employees whose loyalty and dedication have made us a strong and healthy organization. During the 30 years of the program, the number of women employed by the Postal Service continues to grow, as do the opportunities. In 2004, 32 percent of all Postal Service mid-level manager positions and 27 percent of executive positions were held by women. These numbers are credited to the history of the organization's Women's Program and the driving forces behind its success.

- Headquarters and Field Programs,
Diversity Development, 3-17-05

NOTICE

Back Pay Claims Processing: Checklist for Forms Use

Postal ServiceTM attorneys, Labor Relations specialists, and Human Resources specialists who submit back pay claims to the Eagan Accounting Service Center (ASC) for financial processing must use either available automated systems or certain forms to ensure accurate and timely payment. The automated system currently available is the Grievance Arbitration Tracking System (GATS). This system may be used to process lump sum payments that result from the grievance settlements governed by the collective bargaining agreements. This more efficient approach, when applicable, is preferable to paper forms.

When the automated system is not applicable, please use the forms listed in the table, Grievance - Back Pay Documentation Requirement Checklist, on page 61. The table assists in the determination of the appropriate form as well as the correct mailing address.

For more information on this topic, visit the Benefits Personnel Desktop at http://blue.usps.gov/hrisp/comp/bpd.htm.

- Compensation,
Employee Resource Management, 3-17-05

2005 U.S. Postal Service National Awards Program for Diversity Achievement

The U.S. Postal Service® seeks nominations for the 2005 National Awards Program for Diversity Achievement. Established in 1993, the awards program recognizes those individuals and teams that have made significant contributions to encourage and promote diversity within their organization.

All career employees are eligible for nomination and participation - excluding managers, diversity and human capital development; senior diversity program coordinators; diversity development specialists; and Hispanic program specialists, except where noted as an essential member of a team.

Awards will be given in six categories: Individual, Leadership, Team, Altruism, Mentoring, and "Dot Sharpe" Lifetime Achievement Award. Eligibility is based on excellent performance in achieving diversity objectives as they focus on the customer, employee, and business.

Complete and submit all nominations via the intranet through the Diversity Development Web site at http://blue.usps.gov/diversitynet/awards/. If you do not have intranet access, you can contact your local senior diversity programs coordinator or diversity development specialist for information on how to complete and submit a nomination. If you do not know who your local senior diversity programs coordinator and diversity development specialists are, you can call Manny Vasquez at 202-268-5134 or Theresa Leneau at 202-268-6495, the Headquarters National Awards Program coordinators.

The nomination deadline is May 5, 2005.

National Awards Program for Diversity Achievement

Eligibility at a Glance

- Headquarters and Field Programs, Diversity Development, 3-17-05