Limitations Placed on Use of Annual Leave

A Veterans Administration (VA) hospital dentist requested the views of GAO on the fact that he had been denied annual leave on numerous occasions on the basis that his presence at the hospital was required for patient care needs. The employee questioned the hospital director's authority to require him to use his annual leave in minimum amounts of 4 days. Federal regulations provide the Administrator of VA with the authority to appoint physicians, dentists, and nurses for the medical care of veterans. The granting of annual leave shall be a matter of administrative discretion as to when and in what amount it may be authorized. Requests for annual leave shall be acted upon in the light of essential medical services and with due regard to the welfare and preferences of individual employees. Under VA regulations, employees shall be afforded the opportunity, whenever possible, of using annual leave which they would forfeit if it were not taken.