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Under the Voluntary Leave Transfer Program (VLTP), civilians may transfer unused accrued annual leave to another employee to use for emergencies.

Photo by Graphic image by Ida Irby

Civilians support colleagues in need

8 Oct 2015 | Ida Irby Marine Corps Base Quantico

Kristina Creger, a financial analyst aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, is one of many civilians who recently applied for the Voluntary Leave Transfer Program (VLTP) for a personal emergency in hopes to receive support needed to maintain financial stability. Under the VLTP, civilians may transfer unused accrued annual leave to another employee to use for emergencies to include: childbirth, invasive surgery, bereavement leave, or support of hospitalized family member.

Creger is using VLTP for the first time as a 10-year government employee.

“With this program leave days are not lost, however they can be donated and hours [not used by the beneficiary can be returned],” said Creger. “I hope to get time necessary to recover before I return to work.”

Workers who have exhausted their paid leave can apply for to be a recipient of the VLTP by submitting a Leave Recipient Application. A leave recipient, who returns to work on a part-time schedule while still in a medical emergency situation, will earn regular annual and sick leave on a prorated basis. Each month, 20 to 30 people are enrolled to receive from this valuable resource in which donations are given in increments of as much as 80 hours or more.

Federal employees can request to transfer no more than half of their annual leave to an approved leave recipient. In addition, volunteers can request to have unused days returned during the following leave year or shared with another recipient in need.

“This plan is essential to support the civilian workforce by providing relief to persons with a low leave balance by maintaining a steady income while out for a personal emergency,” said Ernesto Tamayo, human resource specialist for Employee and Labor Relations. “More importantly, we support the military by helping to retain a vital workplace through supporting its workers.”

Pursuant to the order, civilians can transfer unused accrued annual leave to colleagues in any federal agency. Unfortunately, sick leave is ineligible for donation. On December 31, excess leave above 240 hours is forfeited. To avoid use-or-lose, apply for donation by December 1.

Civilian employees who wish to donate any leave hours can visit www.omp.gov to view Pay & Leave forms under the policy tab. Fax the proper forms to 703-693-2575 or email to smb_hqmc_vltp@usmc.mil. All correspondence aboard MCBQ should be coordinated though Ernesto Tamayo at 571-256-9535.

— Writer: iirby@quanticosentryonline.com
Marine Corps Base Quantico