Article 22
Educational Development/Community Service Opportunities

Section 1. Purposes

Extended leave without pay (LWOP) for personal development and/or community service may be granted for a period not to exceed one year when one of the following benefits would result:

a. For educational purposes when the course of study or research is in line with a type of work performed by the Agency and would contribute to the mission of the Agency;
b. Furtherance of a program of interest to the Government (e.g., Peace Corps); or
c. For temporary service to non-Federal public or private enterprise and when one or both of the following will result:

(1) The service to be performed will contribute to the public welfare; and/or
(2) The experience to be gained by the employee will serve the interests of the employing Agency.

Section 2. Approval

As a condition for Management's approval of extended leave without pay (LWOP) there should be a reasonable expectation that the employee will return to duty at the end of the LWOP and that the absence will not adversely impact the Agency's mission, and that the employee will submit an advance request commensurate with the length of absence being requested.

Section 3. Recall to Work

Extended absences of leave may be terminated by Management upon a 30-day written notice to the employee. Terminations will be based upon mission needs.