General. Absence without leave shall mean a nonpay status wherein the employee is absent from work without a specified grant of approved leave. Employee Status While Absent Without Leave. An employee absent without a specified grant of approved leave shall be subject to dismissal for the abandonment of the employee's position in accordance with the provisions of Section 16-193. Conversion to Other Leave. Absence without leave may be converted to annual leave, sick leave, or leave without pay with the approval of an employee's appointing authority upon presentation of acceptable proof by the employee that the unauthorized absence of the employee from the employee's position was due to extenuating circumstances beyond the employee's control.