Leave can fall under many different categories, the most common being annual leave and sick leave. As a new employee to the federal government, you are entitled to both annual and sick leave beginning the first day of your new job.
Annual Leave
Annual leave is a period of approved absence from work with pay. Annual leave may be used for vacations, rest and relaxation, for attending to personal business or emergencies. Subject to the approval of the supervisor based upon mission requirements, an employee has a right to take accrued annual leave and to schedule the time when annual leave may be taken.
New full-time employees earn 4 hours of annual leave per pay period, for the first 3 years on the job. After 3 years you will begin to earn 6 hours of annual leave for each pay period. You are allowed to carry over 240 hours of annual leave at the end of each leave year.
| Employee Type | Less than 3 years of service | 3 years but less than 15 years of service | 15 or more years of service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time employees | ½ day (4 hours) for each pay period | 3/4 day (6 hours) for each pay period, except 1¼ day (10 hours) in last pay period | 1 day (8 hours) for each pay period |
| Part-time employees | 1 hour of annual leave for each 20 hours in a pay status | 1 hour of annual leave for each 13 hours in a pay status | 1 hour of annual leave for each 10 hours in a pay status |
| Uncommon tours of duty | (4 hours) times (average # of hours per biweekly pay period) divided by 80 = biweekly accrual rate. | (6 hours) times (average # of hours per biweekly pay period) divided by 80 = biweekly accrual rate. | (8 hours) times (average # of hours per biweekly pay period) divided by 80 = biweekly accrual rate. |
Sick Leave
Sick leave is a paid absence from duty for the purpose of: 1) personal medical needs, 2) care of family member or bereavement, 3) care of a family member with a serious health condition, and 4) adoption-related purposes.
New full-time employees earn 4 hours of sick leave per pay period regardless of years of service. Part-time employees earn 1 hour of sick leave for each 20 hours in a pay status. There is no limit on the amount of sick leave that can be accumulated.
Additional Types of Leave
CBP offers a wide range of additional leave options and entitlements to support our workforce and promote a work-life balance. OPM's website provides full details and fact sheets on the various leave programs available to federal employees.