Agency appointing authorities have discretionary authority, under current state law, to grant administrative leave with pay to employees volunteering to assist with relief efforts related to Hurricane Katrina. It is the policy of this Administration that paid administrative leave may be granted for this purpose from August 29, 2005, through October 1,2005.

Up to five days of leave with pay may be granted without the requirement for forma! documentation verifying the employee's participation in specific relief efforts. Any leave requested for more than five days requires a letter or other documentation from a formal relief organization verifying the employee's participation in such efforts. The total amount of leave which may be granted to an employee during the covered time period is at the discretion of the employee's appointing authority.

Employees requesting leave with pay must submit a written and signed request to the agency's appointing authority documenting (1) the purpose of the leave and how the leave is related to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts and (2) the amount of and specific dates for which the leave is requested. The written request must include (3) a statement acknowledging that the employee understands that falsification of any information contained in the request may lead to termination from state employment.

Each agency's personnel officer is responsible for serving as a central point for coordinating and maintaining records on all leave requested and taken for this purpose.

Should you have any questions regarding this information, please contact Ms. Sheila Marchman, Technical Services Director, at 615-741-2087.

RCC:SG

Policy #05-026