Fedweek

Image: Matushchak Anton/Shutterstock.com

While the current federal leave year doesn’t end until December 31 for most employees (a rare occurrence in which the leave year ends with the calendar year), the last date for scheduling “use or lose” annual leave is November 19. Given the time it often takes to get approval of requested leave, employees who would be up against their limit might want to act soon to make their requests.

Generally, employees may carry forward no more than 30 days (240 hours). Employees stationed overseas may carry up to 45 days; and SES, senior level, and senior scientific and professional employees may carry up to 90 days.

An agency may restore annual leave subject to forfeiture if the employee was unable to take it due to an “exigency of the public business” but only if the leave was scheduled before the start of the third to last pay period in the leave year.

Under rules OPM issued in 2020, employees who would be in a use or lose situation will have their excess annual leave deemed to have been scheduled in advance and eligible for restoration if the employing agency deems that they were needed to remain on the job “to support the nation during a national emergency.” Those rules were issued specifically in response to the Coronavirus pandemic but apply generally to all national emergencies.

Settlement over OPM Database Breaches Approved; Deadline ahead for Filing Claims

These Federal Workforce Proposals May Catch Ride on Defense Bill

Watch for ‘Significant’ FEHB Plan Changes, OPM Says

Enrollee Share of FEHB Premiums to Rise 8.7 Percent on Average for 2023

OPM Addresses Drivers of Premium Hikes, Upcoming Coverage Changes in FEHB

January Retirement COLA Set: 8.7 Percent for CSRS, 7.7 Percent for FERS

Decisions on Federal Workplace Issues Remain Before Congress

See also,

Windfall Elimination Provision Getting Attention in Congress

Why Federal Employees Quit: It’s Not All about Pay

Employees Value TSP, Annuity, FEHB Most Highly, Survey Finds

Did FERS Actually End the CSRS “Golden Handcuffs” Effect?

FERS Retirement Planning Bundle: 2022 FERS Guide & TSP Handbook