What are the time limits on LWOP? Can extensions be approved? Who has to approve the extensions?
LWOP is an absence from duty without pay that may be granted upon an employees request. The immediate supervisor may approve a subordinates LWOP not to exceed 10 workdays. Regional and Assistant Directors may approve LWOP and extensions thereof not to exceed 1 year. They may also delegate this responsibility to managers and supervisors who are at least one administrative level above the immediate supervisor. Requests or extensions that result in a total LWOP in excess of 1 year must be approved by the Service Director. Refer to 226 FW 2.18 for specific examples of instances that would support extended LWOP. If an employee invokes FMLA, the employee is entitled to use a maximum of 12 weeks of LWOP in a calendar year. Additional FMLA information in question E-10.
