You can apply for a continuous leave of absence for a period of up to three years, although it is unusual for the department to approve an absence of more than one year in each instance. If fixed-term employees are granted leave without pay (LWOP), it will only be up to the conclusion of their current contract of employment.
Leave without pay for a period of up to three years may be granted at the discretion of the head of agency. Generally, LWOP will only be approved if there is a benefit to the agency and in consideration of the:
- benefit to the department's provision of services
- operational needs of the department
- capacity to satisfactorily backfill the employee's position
- benefit of such leave to an individual's personal growth and development.
