The State Personnel Office Director, Dylan K. Lange, has authorized emergency extended administrative leave for state employees affected by wildfires or flooding in several New Mexico counties and the Mescalero Apache Reservation. This decision follows consultations with the Governor’s office and is in line with State Personnel Board Rule 1.7.7.14(A) NMAC.
The directive allows executive agencies to grant up to 20 consecutive workdays of paid administrative leave to state employees who are either adversely affected by these natural disasters or are volunteer firefighters combating them. The aim is to alleviate stress and financial strain on these employees until conditions stabilize.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham had previously declared states of emergency in Grant, Lincoln, Mora, San Miguel Counties, the Mescalero Apache Reservation, and recently affected Valencia County due to spreading fires and impending monsoon-induced flooding.
According to the guidelines, employees must submit written requests for this leave along with documentation of their adverse impact or volunteer firefighter status. Agency Human Resources will verify residency in impacted areas before granting leave.
Employees approved for this leave must record it as "99 ADMLV" on their timesheets and include a specific comment regarding its purpose related to the summer 2025 wildfires or flooding.
Under no circumstances should this leave be recorded as inclement weather or office closure.
Information from this article can be found here.
