Proposed rules cover public workers’ military leave and job protections

The text provides that covered public employees on extended U.S. military duty keep their positions and listed work benefits. This covers state and local public officers and employees who are or may become members of the National Guard or a military reserve and serve under U.S. orders for an extended, indefinite period. Employees must file an official order from the appropriate military authority. Volunteer firefighters receive the listed protections except those related to monetary compensation. The leave lasts until the covered military service is complete.

The text provides military leave for public employees serving or training under state orders and for qualifying U.S. service. This covers state and local public employees who are or may become members of the National Guard or a military reserve. State service must be called by the governor and ordered by the adjutant general. For U.S. service, employees must file an official military order with their commanding officer’s certification before salary is paid. Only hours the employee otherwise would have worked may be charged as military leave. The minimum charge is one hour, with additional charges in one-hour increments. There is no stated time limit for state service. U.S. service is limited to 38 working days in each federal fiscal year.