Agencies Encouraged to Offer Admin Time for COVID Vaccines

The Biden administration last week rescinded a series of 2021 executive orders that guided federal agencies' health and safety response to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the administration continues to encourage agencies to provide up to four hours of administrative time for employees to get COVID-19 booster shots. The leave covers the time it takes to get the booster, along with the travel time to and from the vaccination site.

Federal employees can no longer take administrative leave when accompanying a family member getting vaccinated, if they experience an adverse reaction to a vaccine, or if they’re experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and waiting to get tested. Employees should instead use sick or unpaid leave.  

“The health and safety of federal employees is a top priority for NTEU,” said National President Doreen Greenwald. “We are pleased that the administration’s policy encourages agencies to grant administrative time for employees who want to receive vaccinations and boosters to help guard against serious illness from the virus.”