Evening star., 1948-04-13
Government Employees Leave


To the Editor Of The Star:
In connection with the Investigations Of
sick leave by Senator Ball and others, would
like to set forth few facts regarding leave
of Government employees. In the first place.
Government employees have had their leave
privileges reduced steadily during the past
20 years, while those outside the Government
have been securing greater increases in salaries
along with reduced hours of work. Time
was when Government workers had 80 days
of annual leave and 80 days of sick leave,
with a 39-hour week. seven-hour day. with
four hours on Saturday. During the depres-
sion this leave was reduced drastically, and
then finally 26 days OF annual and Is days
Of sick leave were regained, with the 39-hour
week. During the war, the 48-hour week
was made effective, and after the war the
40-hour week was imposed, which resulted
In the loss of six and one-half days q year,
although the annual leave was not increased
to Cover this.
In regard to sick leave specifically, 1t Is
noted that Senator Ball observes that .
large percentage of employees took advan-
tage Of sick leave" during the nine months
investigated This does not seem startling
in view of the prevalence OF cold and flu
epidemics
It is significant that Senator Ball noted
that the most sick leave was taken by those
engaged in routine work. This seems quite
plausible, since it is . physical fact that
monotonous work Is more wearisome and
enervating. At the same time, in addition
to interesting work, many career" employees
are given Official trips" thus securing change
of scene, and in numerous cases vacations are
interspersed with these official trips to great
advantage, especially when they may be near
resorts or their native States, which Is proper
and permissible.
Business allows sick leave when one is Ill,
but Government employees are left without
recourse in the absence of law Congressman
doubtless would be big-hearted enough to
grant their secretaries leave when Ill regard
less Of the law, while they themselves always
are unrestricted in regard to such petty re-
quirements. The obvious answer is that they
often may work overtime far into the night.
but perhaps they wouldn't be in the mood
for SO much night work had they the desk
drudgery which is the allotment Of the masses
Of Government workers.
The only remedy for paying out large sums
for accumulated annual leave obviously is to
rescind that law. Annual leave usually is
accumulated by men, most Of whom have
nothing to do outside office hours except to
seek recreation or to continue their work,
If 1t is Of scientific or political nature. We
have heard vast amount of talk about
shorter hours in order that some energy may
be left for constructive hobbies and artistic
enjoyment, but women, who have plenty Of
drudgery awaiting them outside Of ofnce,
such as shopping, cooking, cleaning, laun-
dering and mending, have little leisure for
pleasure, either intellectual or recreational
As Senator LANCER has pointed out, many
accumulations are due to the fact that en-
ployes were urged to take as little leave as
possible during the war.
Satisfied employees do not form unions and
Government workers are largely unorganized
except for the powerful postal union, but
this gradual elimination Of privileges, If con-
tinued, while outside labor is obtaining more
advantages, will be strong incentive to such
a movement. MIRIAM HOLMES.