Anonymous
Post 06/13/2026 20:23     Subject: Re:Manager Won't Approve Leave Requests More than 30 Days Ahead of Time
Anonymous wrote:OP here. In case you were wondering how this panned out, my manager denied this request.

He also denied another request that I submitted 11 months ahead of the vacation. He waited 5 months to deny that second request. I've paid for both vacations already.


OMG that's terrible. Please add up the receipts and go to HR or his boss.
Anonymous
Post 06/13/2026 19:53     Subject: Manager Won't Approve Leave Requests More than 30 Days Ahead of Time
I have been a federal manager for over 2 decades and this is horrible. Your manager obviously doesn’t know the rules and doesn’t have his/her employees backs. I would actually report it to the union if possible or the 2nd line supervisor.
Anonymous
Post 06/12/2026 22:48     Subject: Re:Manager Won't Approve Leave Requests More than 30 Days Ahead of Time
What a douche. You can tell him I said that.
Anonymous
Post 06/12/2026 22:40     Subject: Manager Won't Approve Leave Requests More than 30 Days Ahead of Time
Anonymous wrote:PS - The reason he gave is that we will be busy at work.


Most work places are always busy, all the time. People still take vacation.

Sorry you are dealing with this. It's time to line up a new job to start after your planned vacation ends.
Anonymous
Post 06/12/2026 22:36     Subject: Re:Manager Won't Approve Leave Requests More than 30 Days Ahead of Time
Anonymous wrote:OP here. In case you were wondering how this panned out, my manager denied this request.

He also denied another request that I submitted 11 months ahead of the vacation. He waited 5 months to deny that second request. I've paid for both vacations already.


Time to play hardball, that is clearly not a "reasonable" response time per the policy. What is he going to do, attempt to fire you and be even more short staffed?
Anonymous
Post 06/12/2026 21:59     Subject: Manager Won't Approve Leave Requests More than 30 Days Ahead of Time
Sorry OP. Time to go to HR as well as look for a new job.
Anonymous
Post 06/12/2026 20:03     Subject: Manager Won't Approve Leave Requests More than 30 Days Ahead of Time
PS - The reason he gave is that we will be busy at work.
Anonymous
Post 06/12/2026 20:01     Subject: Re:Manager Won't Approve Leave Requests More than 30 Days Ahead of Time
OP here. In case you were wondering how this panned out, my manager denied this request.

He also denied another request that I submitted 11 months ahead of the vacation. He waited 5 months to deny that second request. I've paid for both vacations already.
Anonymous
Post 05/06/2026 13:39     Subject: Manager Won't Approve Leave Requests More than 30 Days Ahead of Time
Check your agency leave manual. Also find out why leave would be denied. If it's coverage, try to work out informally with a partner.
Anonymous
Post 05/04/2026 02:14     Subject: Manager Won't Approve Leave Requests More than 30 Days Ahead of Time
I looked into the rules a long time ago when O had a problematic supervisor.

I think they have to approve leave and a reasonable time (not clear on what this is). So if you put in leave for a year from now, they have to approve in a reasonable time frame.

I’m sorry. I think your manager sucks.
Anonymous
Post 05/04/2026 01:19     Subject: Manager Won't Approve Leave Requests More than 30 Days Ahead of Time
He’s either an inexperienced manager or an a$$hole or both. This is not reasonable.
Anonymous
Post 05/03/2026 21:35     Subject: Manager Won't Approve Leave Requests More than 30 Days Ahead of Time
Anonymous wrote:Remember that the federal government is still trying to get rid of workers. Your boss may be hoping to push some people out with this policy. Decide if this is worth it or if it’s time for you to leave.


I did think this could be a possibility, except he’s imposing it on the entire office, not just me, and we’re understaffed as it is.
Anonymous
Post 05/03/2026 21:32     Subject: Manager Won't Approve Leave Requests More than 30 Days Ahead of Time
Anonymous wrote:Here is the OPM page on scheduling leave. It's very focused on making sure you use leave throughout the year and not all at once at the end. In relevant part:

"When an employee makes a timely request for leave, the supervisor must either approve the request and schedule the leave at the time requested by the employee or, if that is not possible because of project related deadlines or the agency's workload, must schedule it at some other time."
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/leave-administration/fact-sheets/annual-leave/

I would tell your boss that it helps everyone to plan things more than 30 days out, so you will be submitting leave plans as you make them, in accordance with OPM guidance. If your office has a different written policy (doubt it) he can go find it.


This is super helpful, thank you for finding that language for me!
Anonymous
Post 05/03/2026 15:00     Subject: Manager Won't Approve Leave Requests More than 30 Days Ahead of Time
I am in healthcare and every single time I’ve quit a job it was because of vacation drama like this. Once I put in 12 months ahead of time, it was approved, then boss quit and new boss decided a month out that I couldn’t go after all. It happened on a Friday and I had another job offer in hand on Tuesday. This is worth quitting over.
Anonymous
Post 05/03/2026 14:41     Subject: Manager Won't Approve Leave Requests More than 30 Days Ahead of Time
Remember that the federal government is still trying to get rid of workers. Your boss may be hoping to push some people out with this policy. Decide if this is worth it or if it’s time for you to leave.