The State Personnel Office has announced that state employees affected by wildfires or flooding in several New Mexico counties will be eligible for up to 20 consecutive workdays of paid administrative leave. This decision, authorized by State Personnel Office Director Dylan K. Lange, aims to support employees facing hardships due to natural disasters in Grant, Lincoln, Mora, San Miguel, and Valencia Counties, as well as the Mescalero Apache Reservation.
The measure follows Executive Orders issued by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham declaring states of emergency in these areas. The orders address both the ongoing wildfires and the potential for flooding with the upcoming monsoon season.
Employees who are either directly impacted or serving as volunteer firefighters can apply for this leave. According to Lange, "the goal is to provide assistance and minimize stress and financial harm" until conditions stabilize.
Requests for leave must be submitted in writing to agency Human Resources along with proof of impact or volunteer firefighter status. Upon verification, leave will be granted in writing by the relevant Cabinet Secretary or Agency Head.
Employees using this leave should record it as "99 ADMLV" on their timesheets and note "Emergency Extended Administrative Leave – Summer 2025 Wildfires or Flooding." It is specified that this type of leave should not be logged under inclement weather or office closure categories.
Information from this article can be found here.
