Dear USDA colleagues, 

Labor Day stands as a tribute to the resilience and persistence of the American workforce. The Biden-Harris administration lives by the values of what this holiday represents: that working together makes us all stronger.

The work we do at the Department of Agriculture takes many shapes. Across all of our expanded mission areas, USDA is on the front lines of contributing to the success and prosperity of our nation. Because of the crucial support you provide to those we serve, Americans across the country are able to thrive in the communities they love. 

It is with profound gratitude that I recognize your tremendous efforts to ensure the continued growth of both our workplace and of American agriculture. As a small token of our nation’s gratitude, I have authorized a two-hour early release this Friday, September 1st.  

I encourage you to take a well-deserved moment this weekend to rest, rejuvenate, and spend quality time with your loved ones. May you have a joyful and well-deserved Labor Day.

With much appreciation, 

Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack 

Terms of the early release

• Employees should code their timesheet using “66 – Admin/Excused Absence” (WebTA) or “TC-66 Other Leave” (Paycheck8).  
• Employees who are required to work on Friday, September 1st, due to mission critical needs will code their timesheet as normal, “01 – Regular Base Pay.”   
• If employees are unable to participate in the early departure on Friday, September 1st because their supervisor has directed them to continue working due to mission critical needs; or if Friday is a non-workday; or if the employee is on preapproved paid leave on Friday; then the employee may use the two hours on a different day. Employees must work directly with their supervisor to identify another day within the current pay period, or within the next two pay periods (September 10 to October 7) to use the two-hour time off authorization. The 2 hours does not need to be used on the same day, but it must be used by October 7th. 
• Leave may only be charged during an employee’s scheduled tour of duty. Employees in a continuous period of non-pay status may not be placed in a pay status solely to receive 2 hours of administrative leave for an early release. 

See this and other announcements on OneUSDA.