Discretionary Leave
UNDERSTAND
Discretionary leave is paid time off from 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
Awarding Discretionary Leave
- The supervisor prepares a written request to the department/division head that explains:
- The nature and duration of the assignment for which discretionary leave is to be awarded; and,
- The number of days of discretionary leave that are recommended (maximum of six (6) days per calendar year).
- The department/division head reviews the request and approves, denies or modifies the discretionary leave award.
- If approved, a copy of the approval is retained in the employee's department file to support entries made in the UW Online Work Leave System (OWLS), or other authorized leave tracking system.
Administering Discretionary Leave
Please keep the following things in mind when approving leave requests for discretionary leave use:
- 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.
- The request for extension must be submitted before December 31.
- 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 provide the employee with written approval for use of discretionary leave. If approved, a copy of the approval is retained in the employee's department file to support entries made in the UW Online Work Leave System (OWLS), or other authorized leave tracking system.
Approving an Extension for Discretionary Leave
- The employee provides a written request for extending the use of discretionary leave that explains:
- Why discretionary leave cannot be taken before December 31
- When within 90 days it will be used
- The department/division head reviews the request and approves, denies or modifies the discretionary leave extension.
- If approved, a copy of the approval is retained in the employee's department file to support entries made in the UW Online Work Leave System (OWLS), or other authorized leave tracking system.
EXPLORE
Are you trying to find other ways to recognize the employee’s noteworthy achievement and work effort? Try these resources.
