D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 6, r. 6-B1268
An absence from duty that was not authorized or approved, or for which a leave request has been denied, shall be charged on the leave record as "absence without leave (AWOL)." The AWOL action may be taken whether or not the employee has leave to his or her credit.
An agency head is authorized to determine whether an employee should be carried as AWOL.
Pay shall be withheld for the entire period of AWOL.
If it is later determined that the absence was excusable, or that the employee was ill, the charge to AWOL may be changed to a charge against annual leave, compensatory time, sick leave, or leave without pay, as appropriate.
An employee shall not be required to perform duties during the period of the AWOL charge.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 6, r. 6-B1268