Article 22

Educational Development/Community Service Opportunities

Section 1. Purposes

Extended leave without pay (LWOP) may be granted for personal development

and/or community service when one of the following benefits would result:

a. For educational purposes when the course of study or research is in line

with a type of work performed by the Agency and would contribute to the

mission of the Agency; or

b. For temporary service to a non-Federal public or private enterprise and

when one or both of the following will result:

(1) the service performed will contribute to the public welfare; and/or

(2) the experience gained by the employee will serve the interests of the

employing Agency.

Except in unusual circumstances or in furtherance of a program of interest to the

Government (e.g., Peace Corps), DOL Agencies will not initially approve extended

LWOP for any period in excess of 52 weeks.

Section 2. Approval

As a condition for Management’s approval of extended LWOP, there should be a

reasonable expectation that the employee will return to duty at the end of the

LWOP and that the absence will not adversely impact the Agency’s mission. The

employee will submit an advance request commensurate with the length of

absence being requested.

Section 3. Community Service

It is recognized that the Department has discretion to excuse employees from their

duties without loss of pay or charge to leave to participate in community service

activities when the absence is brief and is determined to be in the interest of the

Agency. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the Department to balance support

for employees’ volunteer activities with the need to ensure that employees’ work

requirements are fulfilled and that Agency operations are conducted efficiently and

effectively.

Section 4. Recall to Work

Extended absences of leave may be terminated by Management upon a 30-day

written notice to the employee. Terminations will be based upon mission needs.