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UNDERSTAND

Discretionary leave is paid time off work that a department or division head may award to a professional staff employee to recognize noteworthy achievement and work effort that have significantly contributed to the unit's mission, goals and/or objectives. A department head can award up to six (6) days of discretionary leave per calendar year.

ACT

Use of Discretionary Leave

If you have received notice that your department has granted you discretionary leave, be sure to keep the following in mind when planning to use this leave:

• Discretionary leave should be used soon after it is awarded, and must be used before vacation leave.
• Discretionary leave must be used by December 31 of each year, or it will be lost and deducted from the record unless an extension is preauthorized by the appropriate vice president or dean.
• An extension may not exceed 90 days.
• Unused discretionary leave may not be paid and does not transfer to a new organizational unit.

Follow your department’s normal leave request procedures to obtain written approval for use of discretionary leave. If approved, a copy of the approval is retained in your department file to support entries made in the Online Work Leave System (OWLS), or other authorized leave tracking system.

Requesting an Extension for Discretionary Leave

1. Provide to your supervisor a written request for extending the use of your discretionary leave that explains:
   • Why discretionary leave cannot be taken before December 31st
   • When within 90 days you plan to use it
2. The department/division head reviews the request and approves, denies or modifies the discretionary leave extension.
3. If approved, a copy of the approval is retained in your department file to support entries made in OWLS, or other authorized leave tracking system.

EXPLORE

If you are in a supervisory position, you have the authority to grant discretionary leave. Find out more here.

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