GovernmentExecutive.com

I'm in favor of the Leave Donation program. Thankfully I've never had to use it. I would like the rules for S/L to be the same as it is for CSRS, that is, at the retirement time, we should get credit towards our time for the hours that we have on the books.

RJ  | Thursday, September 06, 2007 |  11:03 AM

---

By now maybe noone is looking at this blog. Here are two experience I would like to share: I had back surgery, and was out of work for two months. I planned for my leave. I had a co-employee who had back surgery but used up all his/her leave and got on leave share. The difference -- instead of working overtime as this person did, I worked credit hours, so that I could take those hours off for doctor's appointments, physical therapy and surgery. Greedy person made money, and used up leave. Should I feel that person deserves leave share? I took responsibility. What about the co-worker who put in for leave share and bought a new car? How about cutting your expenses before leave share. I think that everyone in this country deserves help when they need it, not just federal employees. And I have also seen how a Executive "cajoled" persons into giving leave share to a favorite, and those donators were recognized. I have given leave only once, to a fellow employee whom I knew was fighting to stay alive, who had two children, who didn't ask for the leave share, but co-workers put her in. She survived, and I'm glad I gave her leave share!

Debbie Rozanski  | Wednesday, September 05, 2007 |  05:12 PM

---

I am another grateful recipient of donated leave. After a double-whammy of viruses that resulted in months of IV antibiotics and two heart surgeries (one open heart), all before I turned 40, receiving leave not only helped keep me in a pay status, but emotionally it was a strong encouragement to me to not give up. As a non-smoker, step-aerobic all-around "this is your one body, better to care for it," person, having years of sudden and difficult to diagnose illnesses was challenging. It is so sad to read of abuses, and I wonder why they are tolerated. Like CZ, I wrote thank you notes to those who identified themselves, gave coffee gift cards or gifts to their children if I thought they would appreciate that - I tried to do something personal that would express my appreciation. When life whips lemons at you, I was never so grateful to be an employee of an organization comprised of people who literally cared so much. Cheaters and liars should be dealt with appropriately.

Rebecca H.  | Tuesday, September 04, 2007 |  06:58 PM

---

There was a guy at NOAA that used his wife's illness to get donated leave, he took off work. Come to find out, his wife was AT WORK. She called the job to talk to him only to find out he was supposed to be at home to take care of him. Worse part, all he had to do was pay back the leave he "stole". No disciplinary action at all. Now that is how screwed up the Government is or at least some agencies.

Janice G.  | Tuesday, September 04, 2007 |  12:23 PM

---

We are always fixing the symptoms not the curing the problem!

The fact that the G actually lets us donate leave in the first place is a miracle.

It does not matter what rules are in place, someone is going to bend them.

Just think about the peers around you it does help who really need it?

JAJ  | Tuesday, September 04, 2007 |  09:53 AM

---

Does the leave donation program cost the Government millions, as one poster alleges? I have never seen statistics, but my guess, purely a guess, is that it actually reduces expenditures.

There are three costs associated with the program. First, there are the administrative costs to take care of the paperwork, which I expect are relatively small, certainly not in the millions. Second, because many people donate leave when is a use or lose status, and would lose rather than use the leave, the Government pays for the leave. Since everyone is encouraged to manage leave to avoid losing it, this cost is not a valid reason to scrap the program. Third, there is the difference in grade between the leave donated and the leave used. If a GS-5 donates leave to a GS-15 there is a cost associated with it. On the other hand, if a GS-15 donates leave to a GS-5, there are savings associated with it.

My guess is that more leave is donated to a lower level employee than to a higher level employee, resulting in savings that more than offset program costs.

WallyP  | Tuesday, September 04, 2007 |  07:52 AM

---

It won't be long before FERS sick leave will be changed to CSRS sick leave rules, because the same abuses seen under the CSRS system are being done. Under the FERS changes will be made to incentivize people to save their sick leave for retirement percentages, therefore cutting down the amount of abuse. Change the sick leave to the CSRS rules period. We seen the abuse of sick leave tricks before and this stuff AIN'T new!

Matt  | Tuesday, September 04, 2007 |  02:39 AM

---

No system is foolproof. In trying to catch the few who try to take advantage of the leave donation program, tightening up the rules will make it more difficult for the people who legitimately need it to get it.

PC  | Monday, September 03, 2007 |  11:49 PM

---

I believe the system is abused far more than most realize. Too many employees burn off every sick day they have believing they too will get a hand out when they are in need. Those that save as a form of insurance get nothing. So the system teaches employees to abuse the current sick leave policy and expect a hand out, get it, and therefore cost the government millions.

I feel the correct answer is to offer short term disability and allow the conscientious employee to convert unused sick leave to cash or annual leave. This would reward the employee and drastically reduce the use and abuse of sick time.

S. Palmer  | Sunday, September 02, 2007 |  01:06 AM

---

Tom it's "US Geological Survey" not "Service". A common mistake I didn't expect to see from Executive Editor of GovExec.

USGS employee  | Friday, August 31, 2007 |  12:34 PM

---

the article didn't say whether he was being proscuted and going to jail where this scum belongs

dan ketter  | Friday, August 31, 2007 |  11:55 AM

---

It is unfortunate that abuses of the leave donation program happen. The leave donation program is a wonderful program, and 99.9999% of the time, it is used correctly. However, the lack of short term paid disability leave is the real problem. Employees need to be able to choose to give up one or two sick days a year, for a leave program when the employee, is off more than 3-5 days
in a row, but less than a year.
This way when employees are truly sick they would have the time. Our current disability program is based on social security. Being sick enough to qualify for social security disability is nearly impossible, most people die first.
My brother in law had a terminal illness for 5 years and could not qualify for social security. Of course he then died.

, and would cut down on employees take a mental health day, no matter how well deserved

doug l  | Friday, August 31, 2007 |  10:03 AM

---

So what happens now if he really does get cancer? Do you think anyone will donate to him then? I think he has burned the bridge behind him, and he may desperately need that bridge in the future.

Thomas, A  | Friday, August 31, 2007 |  09:26 AM

---

This sounds like a Seinfeld thing to do. Remember the guy that faked cancer so that Jerry would buy him a wig? Funny but pathetic.

Donna J.  | Friday, August 31, 2007 |  09:00 AM

---

Without excusing fraud, but what is the rest of the story? What percentage of federal employees engage in this kinds of activities? Hope this will not lead to another of those bad policies put in place in a rush and void of stats, rather than well informed policy decisions based on sound data analysis.

Sunday A  | Friday, August 31, 2007 |  08:44 AM

---

I have been with the government over 20 years. During my early years, i had saved my sick leave and when I could i shared my annual leave with those who needed it. In my agency, i know the person who I am giving my leave to and this makes a difference. When I turned 38, my life litterally went down hill, i and my doctors could not figure out what was wrong with me. I had over 20 different surgeries and still I encountered more problems everyday. I was out of work for over two years straight years. If it wasn't for the donated leave program, i would have not survived. i would not have been able to pay my medical bills nor just be able to buy food. I believe folks donated over 4,000 hours to me. I sent thank you notes to all who identified themselves. i was so grateful. In the end it was discovered I had a genetic disease that was getting worse with age. For the rest of my life I would be tied to long treatments and surgeries just to survive. But there would be times when I could work full time and even part time at home. my friends and colleagues continue to donate me their leave. I enjoy working when I can. And most of the time don't have to worry when I need to be off. Do you think this is abuse? Or is it just my federal family taking care of its owm? Of course, I do not have the same history as the person who began this string of comments, but for me, my life is saved because of a wonderful program and wonderful people who decided to share. It can happen to anyone, but it did happen to me. To date, i have been donated over 6,500 hours. Thank you to those who care to help those in need with this magnificant gift.

CZ  | Friday, August 31, 2007 |  08:34 AM

---

I am simply astounded at some of these comments.

I do not want X number of personal days during the year, even if I am paid for them at the end of the year if they are not used. The ability to accumulate unlimited sick leave is one of the best benefits we have, one I was able to take advantage of when I was out of work for three months because of back surgery.

The leave donation program is another great benefit. Contrary to the impression given by most of the comments, most of the people I know who received donated sick leave (and most of the requests for donations that I see)were not staying home with a newborn, they were dealing with cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and other long term medical problems, had completely used their available leave, and were facing a total loss of income. They were able to keep their houses and pay their bills because of the generosity of their coworkers.

If you a leave donation request from someone who you think has squandered his leave, your solution is simple, don't donate leave. But don't do away with the program because some people abuse it. The program is a lifesaver!

WallyP  | Friday, August 31, 2007 |  07:43 AM

---

Debbie, you don't have to worry about donating time for healthy newborns....congress is about to pass the short term disability Bill for federal employees and pregnancy is part of it.

Chris C.  | Friday, August 31, 2007 |  05:34 AM

---

The system is a GREAT system. Those that complain about it probably have not worked in private industry like I have, where it was not uncommon for management to tell an employee that their personal life is separate from their work life. Therefore no one cared if your child, elderly parent or you were sick...still needed to come to work to no matter what. The government system we have now allows an individual to balance work life and family needs which we as individuals can all use a bit of. I guess it just boils down to if you don't like it or need then just don't use it. Just don't change the system and ruin it for everyone else.

Mitch S  | Thursday, August 30, 2007 |  10:30 PM

---

We have a supervisor who has no leve balances but generates ficticious comp time for travel and gets it approved by his superiorrs!!

delta mike  | Thursday, August 30, 2007 |  07:43 PM

---

So what...that individual is going down. There are dishonest employees on all jobs. They steal time, equipment, etc. You don't want the system changed because of a few. Before you want the system changed remember that your sick & annual leave keep you in a paid leave status. This pays for your benefits, Health & Life Insurance. Otherwise your benefits will lapse. Lots of govt employees are punished for all types of infractions but the information is private,part of their personnel records, not published. I worked for years in payroll and you have to keep your mouth shut! I did detect a mean spiritedness from the comments. You or a family member may become ill tomorrow. Don't brag about today because you don't know what tomorrow holds. Don't be short sighted. What you are really saying is that you want your benefits cut.

LS ret Fed Payroll ofc  | Thursday, August 30, 2007 |  07:35 PM

---

What type of person would do that and what kind of charges are he faceing at the moment.

Bam_bam  | Thursday, August 30, 2007 |  03:45 PM

---

The abuse I see of the leave donation system is rampant. I have no symapthy for someone who has worked 20 years and has a SL balance of 10 hours because they lay out for every little headache or hangnail. Then when they get older and have a REAL illness, they hold out their hand for donations, and in most cases readily get them. Sick leave is a privilege, not a right. In fact, I would prefer to see the private industry model...X number of "personal days" (not annual and sick)...use them any way you want, but that's all you get.

MM  | Thursday, August 30, 2007 |  03:41 PM

---

I don't care much for this system that is prone to favoritism and subjective judgment calls in granting leave and in recognizing those who donate leave. I would much prefer we have disability insurance, but that would cost the government, and this doesn't. I don't think that leave should be donated so that someone can remain home with an elderly parent, or 'cause someone wants time to spend at home with a healthy newborn. We baby boomers are going to have the issue of elderly parents that need care. We have to deal with it, just like others in this country. Sad, but true, there is little the government does to assist us. Children should be planned for, and there should be no expectation that leave will be donated for this planned and hopefully joyous occasion. Again it is sad that in this country the government offers little help to new parents.

Debbie Rozanski  | Thursday, August 30, 2007 |  03:06 PM

---

How did he get caught? What is the rest of the story?

Banks, K.  | Thursday, August 30, 2007 |  02:21 PM

---