Hafa adai ,

The next GFT General Membership Meeting is on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 6 PM at the Mangilao GFT Hall. GFT officers will provide updates on the election cycle, remind everyone about the Mini Hatch Act, and discuss ongoing worksite issues. Your guidance is needed in steering and shaping what we must do together to WIN at our worksites. This event is open to all members of GFT.

Annual Leave Carry Over Limits

Photo by Veronica MORENO-ALVAREZ on Unsplash

The Bottom Line: The Government has been following an outdated policy that doesn't match current law. Here's what the law actually says:

Annual Leave Carryover Limits

You can carry over a maximum of 320 hours of annual leave into the next fiscal year (by September 30). This is the legal limit for most employees.

If you end the fiscal year with more than 320 hours:

• The first 100 hours of excess leave gets converted to sick leave
• Any hours beyond 420 total hours are lost

What This Means for You

This is a significant change from what many of you may have been told. The old circular that allowed unlimited carryover was wrong and has been officially rejected. The Attorney General’s opinion is the legal opinion to follow. If you want a copy of the legal opinion, simply respond to this email and we will send it to you.

Special Exceptions

If you fall into one of these categories, different rules apply:

• Hired before February 28, 2003 with excess leave: You can keep carrying over your excess hours year to year, but you won't get paid for anything over 320 hours when you retire or leave.
• Nurses and Peace Officers: You can carry over more than 320 hours, but the same 420-hour limit applies when you retire or separate from service.

Why This Matters

The Government is required by law to enforce these limits as a matter of fiscal responsibility. Officials who don't follow these rules can face serious consequences, including criminal prosecution.

What You Should Do

1. Check your leave balance – Know how many hours you currently have
2. Plan your leave strategically – Use excess hours before the fiscal year ends
3. Consider the Leave Sharing Program – You can donate unused leave to colleagues in need
4. Ask questions – Contact your HR department if you're unsure about your balance

Moving Forward

We're working with management to ensure this transition is handled fairly and transparently. If you have concerns about how this affects you personally or are having difficulty getting your leave approved, please reach out to your union representative.

We're here to protect your rights and ensure you're treated fairly under the law.