The Director of Personnel, in consultation with the head of the appropriate agency and subject to the approval of the Governor, is authorized to provide by rules and regulations basic workweeks or workdays, overtime premiums, and annual and sick leave for employees in activities for which the effective utilization of manpower requires a workday of either more or less than eight (8) hours and/or a workweek of either more or less than five (5) days. Such provisions may differ from and shall supersede the provisions for these items elsewhere provided in this chapter. Employees subject to regulations issued pursuant to this section shall receive substantially the same amount of time off for sick leave and annual leave as provided for other government employees under this chapter.