SPACE FORCE, AIR FORCE FAMILY DAYS SCRAPPED: EXTRA LEAVE CUT IN 2025
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, this perk has gone 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 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.
Now, in a memo released on April 7, family days have been rescinded for troops in both the Air Force and Space Force. "Providing blanket designations of pass days, often called family days, to align with all eleven federal holidays throughout the year does not support our ability to execute the mission with excellence while maintaining our competitive advantage," according to the memo signed by acting Air Force Secretary Gary Ashworth.
This new directive comes after the February 11th memo that stated the service was coming under fire for family days for civilian employees who were historically granted leave by their superiors during the holidays.
In a memo, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Gwendolyn DeFilippi stated that, "Federal law does not permit the [Department of the Air Force] to grant civilian personnel additional leave. Unless otherwise exempted, if civilian employees are not on an excused absence, they should be working at their current duty location.”
Air Force Family Days Being Scrapped Sparks Backlash
There is already backlash involving the elimination of Family Days, as workers and troops are already dealing with stressful work conditions. Additionally, military family members are angered by the change. Many have explained that family days were not simply days off. They were strategically used for doctors visits or for parent-teacher meetings.
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.
Suggested reads:
