Agencies authorized to dismiss employees early for Thanksgiving
OPM chief says a little extra time off would be “mark of gratitude” for workers’ service.
The government's top human resources official reminded agencies Wednesday that one way they can give thanks to their employees is by letting them leave the office early on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.
In a message to heads of departments and agencies, John Berry, director of the Office of Personnel Management, noted, "as a mark of gratitude for the service provided by federal employees, executive branch department and agency heads can use their existing authority to provide an early dismissal (excused absence, with out charge to leave or loss of pay) on the day before Thanksgiving."
Berry noted that the extra time off should be granted "only to the extent that employees can be spared and such time off does not interfere with agency operations."
The OPM chief also pointed out that Friday, Nov. 27, is a normal workday for federal employees.