What Is the Difference Between Unscheduled Leave & Liberal Leave?

by Mary Strain, Demand Media
Snowed-in federal workers may take unscheduled leave.

Snowed-in federal workers may take unscheduled leave.

Michael Blann/Photodisc/Getty Images

"Liberal leave" and "unscheduled leave" are terms used by the federal government. They refer to any unscheduled leave federal employees may take in the event that extreme weather, or a similar emergency, prevents them from coming in to work as usual. "Liberal leave" and "unscheduled leave" mean the same thing, but the United States Office of Personnel Management has retired the former term.


A federal employee taking unscheduled leave must subtract it from his allotment of accrued leave days, credit hours or comp time. If he has unused leave days left, he'll be paid for the day; if not, the leave will be unpaid. Employees taking unscheduled leave are expected to inform their supervisors of that choice as quickly as possible. If there is a major weather event, such as a snowstorm, the federal government may announce an "unscheduled leave policy," essentially authorizing employees to take a day of leave without previous notification or detailed justification.


Federal employees whose work is deemed essential are designated "emergency employees" and are generally expected to report to work even when an unscheduled leave policy is announced. Telecommuting federal employees scheduled to work on that day are expected to proceed as normal unless the power is down.


"Unscheduled leave" was formerly known as "liberal leave." The U.S. Office of Personnel Management formally changed the term in 1995. Some political observers, such as "The Washington Post's" Stephen Barr, opined that the government made the change to take away any negative associations that the term "liberal leave" may have held for taxpayers.


Some critics, especially conservatives, have complained that the government is already too lenient on federal employees. Many conservatives say the "unscheduled leave" policy is just another perk for overpaid and underworked government workers. Some federal workers respond to these objections by saying that during an extreme weather event, it's actually more expensive to run the government than to shut it down for a day or two. They also point out that many federal workers telecommute.

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