Which leave is associated with a negative leave balance?

The concept of a negative leave balance typically refers to a situation where an employee has taken more leave than they have accrued. Excess leave is specifically designed for this scenario, allowing service members to take leave beyond their accrued balances in certain situations, such as emergencies or other pressing personal matters. When someone is on excess leave, they may have a negative balance because they are utilizing leave time that they have not yet earned.

In contrast, the other types of leave mentioned—annual leave, adoption leave, and paternity leave—are generally not intended to create a negative balance. Annual leave is accrued and generally cannot be taken unless it has been earned. Adoption leave and paternity leave are usually based on specific circumstances surrounding family events, and they too are based on the leave that a service member is entitled to take, rather than operating in a manner that would result in a negative balance. Thus, excess leave is correctly identified as the type associated with a negative leave balance.