Q. I am planning to retire on January 3, 2016, and estimate that I will have approximately 522 hours of sick leave at the time. I would like to know if I can use up my sick leave for that same number of hours? In other words, can I go on a leave status in October? I have 36 years of service and will be 55 in December. Am I correct that you can’t get paid for unused sick leave?
A. Unused sick leave is added to any days that don’t add up to a full month and, if there are enough of them, used to increase your annuity. As for your proposal, you only have the right to use sick leave for approved purposes. You have no right to burn it off.
