How Many Weeks of Vacation Do Federal Employees Get?

By Robert Palmer

As a federal employee, you may be wondering how many weeks of vacation you are entitled to. The answer to this question depends on a number of factors, including your years of service and your position within the federal government.

Years of Service:

In general, federal employees receive between 13 and 26 days of paid vacation per year, depending on their years of service. The longer you work for the government, the more vacation time you are entitled to.

For employees with less than three years of service:

If you have less than three years of service as a federal employee, you will receive 13 days (104 hours) of paid vacation per year.

For employees with three to fifteen years of service:

If you have between three and fifteen years of service, you will receive 20 days (160 hours) of paid vacation per year.

For employees with more than fifteen years of service:

If you have more than fifteen years of service, you will receive 26 days (208 hours) of paid vacation per year.

Position within the Federal Government:

The amount of vacation time you receive as a federal employee can also depend on your position within the government. For example, some positions may be classified as “Senior Executive Service” positions and may entitle you to additional vacation time.

Other Types of Leave

In addition to paid vacation time, federal employees are also entitled to other types of leave. These include:

  • Sick leave: Federal employees accrue four hours (0.5 days)of sick leave every pay period.
  • Holidays: Federal employees are entitled to ten paid holidays each year.
  • Family and Medical Leave: Eligible employees can take up to 12 weeks off in a 12-month period for certain family or medical reasons.
  • Military Leave: Federal employees who are members of the National Guard or Reserves may be entitled to leave for military training or duty.

Conclusion

In summary, federal employees receive between 13 and 26 days of paid vacation per year, depending on their years of service and position within the government. In addition to paid vacation time, employees are also entitled to other types of leave, such as sick leave and military leave. If you have any questions about your entitlements as a federal employee, be sure to consult your agency’s human resources department.