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U.S. Office of Personnel Management - Ensuring the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce

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Sick Leave

An employee may use sick leave for-


Sick Leave Accrual

Full-time Employees

1/2 day (4 hours) for each biweekly pay period.

Part-time Employees

1 hour for each 20 hours in a pay status.

There are no limits on the amount of sick leave that can be accumulated. Unused sick leave accumulated by employees covered by the Civil Service Retirement System will be used in the calculation of their annuities.

Requesting Sick Leave

An employee must request sick leave within such time limits as the agency may require. An agency may require employees to request advance approval for sick leave for their own or a family member's medical, dental, or optical examination or treatment.

Granting Sick Leave

An agency may grant sick leave only when supported by evidence administratively acceptable by the agency. For absences in excess of 3 days, or for a lesser period when determined necessary by the agency, an agency may require a medical certificate or other administratively acceptable evidence.

Advance Sick Leave

At the discretion of the agency, a maximum of 30 days of sick leave may be advanced to an employee with a medical emergency for purposes related to the adoption of a child, for family care or bereavement purposes, or to care for a family member with a serious health condition.

References

5 U.S.C. chapter 63, subchapter I
5 CFR, part 630, subparts B and D

Comptroller General opinions:
23 Comp. Gen (1943)--medical documentation
B-190152 (11/30/77)--sick leave recredit
B-205359 (06/28/88)--advance sick leave