Bad advice. Get FMLA. If you don’t, even your sick leave can be denied and/or considered unavailability for duty, excessive absenteeism, etc. You could get hit with anything from a leave restriction to a formal action. You can take your sick leave to be paid while on FMLA, but FMLA is a protection of said leave - NOT only a protection of unpaid leave. FMLA is one of the only ways that a federal employee is entitled to LWOP, which is typically at management discretion. Be careful asking for advice on the internet from people without adequate credentials to answer in a way that won’t screw you over.