; or (B) is deployed in connection with a contingency operation. (b) Leave taken intermittently or on reduced leave schedule (1) Leave under subsection (a) may be taken by an eligible employee intermittently or on a reduced leave schedule as the eligible employee considers appropriate. (2) The taking of leave intermittently or on a reduced leave schedule pursuant to this subsection shall not result in a reduction in the total amount of leave to which the eligible employee is entitled under subsection (a) beyond the amount of leave actually taken. (c) Paid leave permitted Leave granted under subsection (a) may consist of paid leave or unpaid leave as the employer of the eligible employee considers appropriate. (d) Relationship to paid leave (1) If an employer provides paid leave to an eligible employee for fewer than the total number of workweeks of leave that the eligible employee is entitled to under subsection (a), the additional amount of leave necessary to attain the total number of workweeks of leave required under subsection (a) may be provided without compensation. (2) An eligible employee may elect, and an employer may not require the eligible employee, to substitute any of the accrued paid vacation leave, personal leave, or family leave of the eligible employee for leave provided under subsection (a) for any part of the total period of such leave the eligible employee is entitled to under such subsection. (e) Notice for leave In any case in which an eligible employee chooses to use leave under subsection (a), the eligible employee shall provide such notice to the employer as is reasonable and practicable. 4403. Certification (a) In general An employer may require that a request for leave under section 4402(a) of this title be supported by a certification of entitlement to such leave. (b) Timeliness of certification An eligible employee shall provide, in a timely manner, a copy of the certification required by subsection (a) to the employer. (c) Sufficient certification A copy of the notification, call,