Q. I’m a Forest Service officer assigned in D.C. searching for guidelines as to whether I could take leave without pay or a leave of absence from my current position to be with my children.
Is there a maximum on number of days/months/years I could request from my position? If yes, where can I find more specifics, and what will be the implications? I’ve been told that I could take up to a five-year leave of absence from the government but cannot find any information on how to proceed.
A. There’s a fact sheet on LWOP at www.opm.gov/policy-oversight/pay-leave/leave-administration/fact-sheets/leave-without-pay.
As you will learn, there are a few situations where approval is guaranteed. Approvals of any situation that falls outside of those are at the sole discretion of your agency and your supervisor.
