United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Time Away From Work

No matter how much we enjoy our work - we all need to get away or to have time to do those very necessary personal or family tasks. VA offers an excellent array of programs that will give you the time you need. Among them are:


OBSERVED HOLIDAYS

Each calendar year, enjoy 10 paid federal holidays:

  • New Year's Day
  • Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday
  • Washington's Birthday
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Columbus Day
  • Veterans Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day

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ANNUAL LEAVE (VACATION)

You will accrue leave that can be used as paid vacation time that allows you to rest, relax, and recharge.

Full time employees initially earn 13 days per year. You can earn up to 26 days per year after continued service.

Full time nurses, nurse anethetists, physician assistants, and expanded function dental auxiliaries earn 26 days annually.

Physicians, dentists, podiatrists, chiropractors, and optometrists recieve 26 days per year.

Accrued annual leave can also be used as time off, allowing you to attend to personal business, emergencies, and family needs.

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SICK LEAVE

All full-time employees accrue 13 days of sick leave a year. Physicians, dentists, podiatrists, chiropractors, and optometrists earn 13 calendar days of sick leave.

In addition to your personal needs, you may use sick leave as time off to deal with family care, bereavement, or adoption matters.

There is no limitation on the amount of sick leave you can carry over from year to year.

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FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE

Situations may arise that take you away from work for an extended period. VA allows up to
12 weeks of unpaid leave during a rolling 12-month period. Family and Medical Leave is granted for:

  • The birth of a child and care of a newborn, or placement of a child with you for adoption or foster care.
  • A serious health condition of a spouse, son or daughter, or parent.
  • Your own serious health condition.
Job protection and benefits will continue during your leave.

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LEAVE SHARING

Joining VA gives you team members you can count on in times of trouble.

If you have a personal or family medical emergency and have already exhausted your available paid leave, the Voluntary Leave Transfer Program allows other Federal employees to donate their annual leave to cover your absence.

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COURT LEAVE

VA encourages you to meet your civic responsibility as a juror or witness. Court Leave is excused time away from work, during which time you will be fully paid.

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BONE MARROW AND ORGAN DONOR LEAVE

You are entitled to use up to seven days of excused absence from work with full pay each year to serve as a bone marrow donor.

As an organ donor, you are granted up to 30 days of paid leave each calendar year.

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MILITARY LEAVE AND REINSTATEMENT

If you're a serving member of the Armed Forces, you'll find VA a supportive and appreciative workplace.

VA grants all leave and employment rights in accordance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and all other applicable laws.

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CHILD CARE SUBSIDY

The VA Child Care Subsidy helps parents afford quality child care.

These funds may also be used to offset the cost of before-school or aftercare programs, and for summer school programs.

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TRANSIT SUBSIDY

If you regularly commute to and from work using mass transit, you may be eligible for transit subsidy. The amount of subsidy authorized is based on your monthly public transit commuting costs up to a monthly dollar limit.

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Find Out More About VA Job Benefits: