Idaho Bulletin 360-5-5

May 20, 2005

SUBJECT:  PER - Compensatory Time Off for Travel

TO:  All Employees, NRCS, Idaho

Purpose.  To provide explanation and guidance on compensatory time off for travel

Expiration Date.  September 30, 2005 (retain attachments for reference)

Background:

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued interim regulations to implement a new compensatory time off provision established by section 203 of the Federal Workforce Flexibility Act of 2004 (Public Law 108-411, October 30, 2004). These provisions establish a new form of compensatory time off spent by an employee in travel status when such time is not otherwise compensable. These OPM regulations became effective January 28, 2005.

Additional guidance on compensatory time off for travel

Attached are two flowcharts to help employees step through the process. These charts provide a logical path for determining eligibility of compensatory time off for travel. Please refer to the chart for your particular type of position; Exempt or Non-Exempt.

All Idaho NRCS employees are eligible for compensatory time off for travel.

Compensatory time off for travel can be earned for time spent in travel status outside regular working hours (i.e., driving/riding in an automobile, bus, train, flying by plane, and “usual waiting time”) when such time is not otherwise compensable.

Travel status is considered time when employees are in per diem status. Employees are eligible for per diem when they travel outside their local commuting area, which is 50 miles, and gone from their duty station more than 12 hours. All travel must be approved by your supervisor.

Earning and using compensatory time off for travel

Compensatory time off for travel is earned in increments of 15 minutes.

There is no limitation on the number of compensatory time off for travel hours an employee can earn.

Compensatory time off for travel must be used within 26 pay periods (1 year) after it is earned.

WebTCAS

New categories to reflect Comp Travel earned and used have been added to WebTCAS. Employees can add these two new categories “Comp Used-Travel” and Comp Credit-Travel” to their profile. These categories can be found under timesheet categories for extra hours.

Place brief notes in the WebTCAS Notes section showing the day and location traveled (i.e., 4/26-4/28 CSP training in Portland, Oregon)

A list of OPM questions, answers and examples on compensatory time off for travel can be accessed at http://www.opm.gov/oca/compmemo/2005/2005-03.asp. This information was previously distributed to all employees, January 2005.

/s/                                           
RICHARD SIMS                                         
State Conservationist               

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