AIR FORCE FAMILY DAYS COULD BE ELIMINATED FOR CIVILIANS AMID CRACKDOWN
When holidays fall near the weekend, creative federal workers and Airmen have opportunities to enjoy longer holidays. At least, they did. Known as Family Days, troops and civilian workers have been provided certain times when fewer meetings or activities take place, allowing for longer weekend holidays when approved. Now, it looks like this perk may be going away as ongoing changes hit workers in the federal government.
What Are Air Force Family Days?
Air Force Family Days are simply days off for troops that are often approved when a holiday is also going to provide warfighters with a day off on Friday or Monday.
Common examples include receiving Family Days on the Fridays before Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents Day, which are always on Mondays.
Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, and other major federal holidays also often have Family Days around them to allow troops four days of rest with their families.
Also provided to Guardians, those who do have to work can use their time off later on through a comp day.
U.S. Air Force Family Days Could Be Cut for Civilians
Employers who are serious about retaining talent and keeping workers happy understand that the key is to empower their workers to have legitimate chances for a proper work-life balance.
Despite this, the Department of the Air Force is taking a closer look at the use of Family Days for civilian employees who have previously been unauthorized.
While Airmen are afforded this opportunity when approved, the Air Force doesn’t allow this four-day weekend loophole for civilians.
Federal law would have to change in order for this to happen, despite legislation allowing for leaders to essentially provide virtually the same exact perk through “liberal leave” days.
Regardless, the U.S. Air Force is looking to cut back on these free days amid more cuts throughout the federal government.
In a memo, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Gwendolyn DeFilippi stated that “Unless otherwise exempted, if civilian employees are not on an excused absence, they should be working at their current duty location.”
Furthermore, DeFilippi also mentioned that “Over the next several weeks, (the Department of the Air Force) will evaluate Family Days to ensure they align with our ability to support warfighter readiness.”
Could Other Service Branches Follow?
It’s still unclear how such cuts will affect the military but what is happening in the USAF is far from an isolated incident.
Other military branches could also follow by having similar cutbacks, as rumors continue to grow louder on social media.
The cuts from President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are proving that nothing is safe.
Air Force Family Days Latest Federal Worker Shakeup
There is already backlash involving the elimination of Family Days, as workers and troops are already dealing with stressful work conditions.
It’s understandable that the military doesn’t want its workforce simply off for no reason but having time to recharge and reconnect is essential for any endeavor, including defending our nation.
Family Days play an important role in letting loved ones who are too often separated for the good of our nation’s interests bond and enjoy downtime together.
They are essential moments in time, that already feel fleeting for those sacrificing for our freedoms.
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