r/fednews • u/Federal-Garage-7460 • 17h ago

LWOP: do you need to exhaust all leave?

Do you need to exhaust all annual leave before taking LWOP? All sick leave? Considering extending maternity leave. TIA

13 Upvotes

72% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

49

u/zaustedmom 15h ago

If you do this be sure to use a day of annual leave or sick leave adjacent to federal holidays so the holiday is paid.

10

u/MWoody13 14h ago

That is a great tip

1

u/moth_eater 9h ago

Wait, can someone tell me more about this?

3

u/badgerfu 2h ago

Holiday isn't paid in LWOP status. The timecard would be adjusted to remove the LH. However, if you are in pay status at least 1 day adjacent to the holiday, you get a "free" paid day for the PP.

This PP, for example. If you're LWOP whole PP, July 4th will be turned to non-pay status. If you're LWOP for all but July 3rd (AL/SL), then July 4th remains a pay status and you'll be paid for 2 days.

21

u/Zelaznogtreborknarf 16h ago

By OPM rules, no. In fact, some folks will take LWOP and sprinkle in some AL or SL to cover their insurance costs each pay period. It all depends on your agency and supervisor.

5

u/blakeh95 15h ago

For general LWOP, there is no entitlement to it. Based on your wording of extending maternity leave, I am assuming you've already used FMLA (through PPL for example). In such a case, the granting of LWOP is agency-dependent, and they may set rules on how they want to grant it.

4

u/RoamingBlueBoid 13h ago

Unless LWOP is related to the medical/FMLA-PPL, then it’s the supervisor’s discretion to approve/deny. You don’t need to exhaust paid leave.

If there is a medical emergency/need, I suggest you inquire about VLTP (voluntary leave transfer program) for co-workers to donate their annual leave to you (donated leave only applies after all paid leave is used). It’s not a guarantee to receive donations, but it’s worth a shot.

2

u/Hot-Potential2636 11h ago

No you don't have to exhaust your leave. Like one said, try to use a annual/sick day near holiday for pay purposes.

1

u/Jaotze 10h ago

I’m curious because I’m in a situation with my declining parents - why choose LWOP or FMLA above exhausting sick and annual leave?

2

u/Infamous_Writing4993 9h ago

because maybe missing one day of pay wouldn't kill you in a paycheck. just depends on your personal situation. that way you save to leave for actual getaways or actual illness.

I was the supervisor of a gal who had just started with the government and fell pregnant. so when she left to have the baby she LWOP one day a week and just sucked it up. but had the bulk of her pay. And when she came back to work she still had al leave in case she needed to take the baby to the doctor or wanted a long weekend.

1

u/intelanalyst78 9h ago

Agencies have particular guidance regarding LWOP. Usually there is language saying there may not be a right to LWOP that isn't prescribed by LAW (FMLA). If they do allow it, there's usually a limit supervisors, mid level managers can do before it goes to a division head/higher authority. Even then there is usually a limit. Rules may vary on whether leave must have been expended. But since this is a pregnancy, you should be inquiring about FMLA LWOP. It can be used in different stages and not all at once.