I would use annual leave. Especially since you are saving for maternity leave. I saved every drop of sick leave I had and was able to use that and the 240 hours I had saved of annual leave to fully cover my maternity leave. Sick leave builds much more slowly than annual leave so it is likely you will have 240 annual leave hours ready to use by the time you need it for maternity leave.

(I can't afford to take 4 weeks of actual vacations every year, and generally taking days off and staying home for no reason doesn't appeal to me. I'm 8 years in and have had use or lose every year since I hit 6 hours of leave per PP except in the year I took time off to have have a baby.)

How are people able to take all of their annual leave? Are you really able to take 4 weeks of vacation every year? I understand not having the 240 hours of annual leave after a year or two of working, but it builds up over time! We take generous vacations and I've never had use it or lose it because of maternity leaves, but my husband is in his fifth year of federal employment and has use or lose.

Anonymous wrote:I have never accumulated 240 hours of annual and I've worked for the feds for 11 years. If you're the type of person who actually takes vacations, I'd use sick because you can't use sick leave to take a vacation.

You must be the type of employee who uses their leave as soon as they earn it.

Anonymous wrote:I have a family medical situation. Which should I use first, sick or annual leave?

Someone told me to use up the annual first because if I ever get past 240 hours I will lose it whereas the sick is like health insurance forever.

Somebody else told me to use sick leave in preference to annual whenever I have the opportunity to do so, as if you leave the federal service you are paid for the annual leave, but not the sick.

I am thirty something and not sure I will stay with the federal government forever or into old age. I am likely to need maternity leave at some point within the next couple of years too.

Thanks.

Use AL then SL. You never lose SL and it will add on to your retirement benefit calculation. It's a gift that keeps giving. If you are 30 something, my bet is you will stay as Fed.

Vacations are good. Glad you're taking them!

[qVA te=Anonymous]

if I ever get past 240 hours I will lose it

omg, what is wrong with you people? why aren't you taking vacations?
I hate this country.