Employees have the right to request and use approved annual leave that they earn.
Supervisors are responsible for approving or disapproving individual leave requests and for determining when annual leave may be taken. Generally, supervisors and employees work together to schedule leave at times that suit both the employee's and the organization's needs. After 3 years of service, the earning rate increases to 6 hours each pay period. After 15 years, the earning rate increases to 8 hours per pay period. If you have prior Federal, military or Smithsonian service, you should consult with the Human Resources Department to determine if that time is creditable for annual leave earning purposes.