Leave without pay (LWOP) is considered approved leave. If an employee requests time off and the request is approved, but the employee does not have accrued leave to cover the approved absence, leave without pay is appropriate. As a general rule, employees who wish to take more time off than they have in their vacation/holiday/compensatory time balances should not be approved for LWOP.

Absence without Leave (AWOL) is an absence that is not approved. AWOL is a violation of Civil Service Commission Rule XIII and is cause for disciplinary action.