Pursuit's Take
Between fiscal years 2011 and 2015, 116 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees were on administrative leave for personnel matters for 1 year or more, with a total estimated salary cost of $19.8 million for this period. Of these 116 employees on administrative leave:
- 69 employees (59 percent) were for matters related to misconduct
- allegations
- 28 employees (24 percent) were for matters related to fitness for duty issues
- 19 employees (or 16 percent) were for matters related to security clearance
- investigations.
As of September 30, 2015, DHS reported that of these 116 employees:
- 68 employees (59 percent) were separated from the agency,
- 32 employees (28 percent) were back on duty,
- 2 employees (2 percent) were on indefinite suspension, and
- 14 employees (12 percent) remained on administrative leave
This report describes (1) the number of DHS employees who were on administrative leave for 1 year or more for personnel matters from fiscal years 2011 through 2015, (2) the factors that contribute to the length of time employees are on administrative leave, and (3) the extent to which DHS has policies and procedures for managing such leave.