How Much Vacation Do VA Employees Get?

By Alice Nichols

As a VA employee, one of the perks you may enjoy is vacation time. Taking a break from work is essential to maintain a healthy work-life balance and avoid burnout. In this article, we will explore how much vacation time VA employees get and how it’s calculated.

Accruing Vacation Time

VA employees accrue vacation time based on their length of service. If you’re a full-time employee, you will accrue 4 hours of vacation time per pay period (bi-weekly) for the first three years of your employment. After that, your vacation time will increase based on your length of service as shown in the table below:

  • 3-15 years: 6 hours per pay period
  • 15-25 years: 8 hours per pay period
  • 25+ years: 10 hours per pay period

Cashing Out Vacation Time

If you don’t use all your accrued vacation time before the end of the year, you can carry over up to 240 hours (or 30 days) into the next year. You can also “cash out” your unused vacation time at any point during the year, either as a lump sum payment or added to your paycheck.

Sick Leave and Holidays

In addition to vacation time, VA employees also receive sick leave and paid holidays. Full-time employees accrue 4 hours of sick leave per pay period (same as vacation time), which can be used for personal illness or to care for immediate family members. As for holidays, VA employees are entitled to ten paid federal holidays per year.

Conclusion

Taking breaks from work is essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance and avoiding burnout. As a VA employee, you have access to generous vacation time, sick leave, and paid holidays, which you can use to recharge your batteries and come back to work refreshed. Remember to plan ahead and use your vacation time wisely so that you can fully enjoy the benefits it offers.