General

No.  Generally, an employee may use sick leave when he or she is unable to work due to a physical or mental illness or is receiving medical examination or treatment. An employee who is not eligible for sick leave may request annual leave.  An employee has the right to take annual leave, subject to the right of the supervisor to schedule the time at which annual leave may be taken.  If an employee’s request for leave is denied and the employee still refuses to report for work, the employee may be considered Absent Without Leave (AWOL) and may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including removal from Federal service. Agencies should inform employees of the preventive measures taken to ensure a safe workplace during a pandemic influenza.  Also see discussion of alternative work arrangements in Part III-A.