FREE Civil Service FAQ Pay and Leave Benefits Questions and Answers Flashcards

How many hours of annual leave does a full-time federal employee with 3 to 15 years of service earn per biweekly pay period?

Answer: 6 hours

Federal employees with 3 to 15 years of service earn 6 hours of annual leave per biweekly pay period (prorated for part-time employees).

What is the maximum number of hours of annual leave a federal employee may carry over into the next leave year?

Answer: 240 hours

Most federal employees may carry over a maximum of 240 hours (30 days) of annual leave into the new leave year; hours above this ceiling are forfeited.

Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), how many weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave may an eligible federal employee take per year for qualifying reasons?

Answer: 12 weeks

FMLA entitles eligible employees to up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 12-month period for qualifying family and medical reasons.

What pay system covers the majority of white-collar federal civilian employees?

Answer: General Schedule (GS)

The General Schedule (GS) is the predominant pay system for white-collar federal civilian employees, covering grades GS-1 through GS-15.

Which type of federal leave allows an employee to be absent from work due to a death in the immediate family?

Answer: Bereavement (funeral) leave

Federal employees are entitled to up to 3 days of paid bereavement (funeral) leave upon the death of an immediate family member.

How is a within-grade increase (WGI) — also called a step increase — earned under the General Schedule?

Answer: By completing a set waiting period with an acceptable performance rating

A WGI is granted after an employee completes the required waiting period (1, 2, or 3 years depending on the step) with at least an 'acceptable' performance rating.