OPM Final Rule Updates ‘Family Member,’ ‘Immediate Relative’ for Employee Leave

The Office of Personnel Management is updating the definitions of “family member” and “immediate relative” for leave purposes in order to promote diversity in the federal workforce, according to a final rule published in the June 14 Federal Register (75 Fed. Reg. 33491).

“When implemented, these regulations will help ensure that agencies consider the needs of a diverse workforce and provide employees with the broadest support possible to help them balance their work, personal, and family obligations,” OPM said in supplementary information.

OPM issued proposed regulations last September (180 DLR A-13, 9/21/09) in response to ...