What is special leave?

Special leave is leave without pay lasting more than the major portion of one (1) month.
•    It may be granted at the appointing authority’s discretion and must be requested in writing and approved in advance, when possible.
•    If a written request cannot be made beforehand, verbal approval must be obtained.
•    Upon returning to work, employees must submit a written explanation of the absence and, if requested, a physician’s statement.
•    This approval is filed with the Commissioner of the Department of Human Resources.
Leave without pay for less than the major portion of a month may be approved by the immediate supervisor and does not require DOHR notification.
If special leave is intermittent and equals the major portion of a month, a memorandum of explanation must be submitted to the Commissioner for approval.
For more information, visit the State of Tennessee Attendance and Leave Manual.