Absence without leave is a non-pay, nonapproved status. An employee who is absent without a specific grant of leave for any period of time is subject to disciplinary action or may be considered to have abandoned his or her position as specified in Article IX, Separation of Employees, of this Division A. A department head may approve conversion of AWOL to other leave, provided the employee furnishes a prompt request and acceptable explanation of the absence and reason for not following proper procedures.