Sick Leave
Paid sick leave is available in the event that you become unable to work due to illness or a non-work related accident. Sick leave may also be used to attend doctor appointments or when you are unable to work due to the illness of an immediate family member. Paid sick leave is a granted benefit and not a form of supplemental compensation.
- Eligibility - Regular full-time hourly and administrative employees in positions that are budgeted for and work at least 1040 hours annually are eligible to accrue paid sick leave. Coaches, part-time employees working less than 1040 hours annually, and temporary employees are not eligible to accrue paid sick leave.
- Accrual - Sick leave is accrued by regular full-time employees each pay period at a rate equal to 6 days per year. Accrual will be on a proportionate basis according to actual hours worked for eligible positions budgeted for and working between 1040 and 2080 hours per year. You do not accrue paid sick leave during periods of unpaid leave of absence or suspension, but you do accrue paid sick leave during time off for paid holidays, vacation, paid sick leave, or paid major illness leave. Unused sick time may be accumulated up to a maximum of 12 days.
The intent is that these days be used for sickness. Sick leave is not to be used to supplement vacation time, nor is it converted to compensation upon termination of employment. In some circumstances, a doctor's statement may be required to verify the illness or inability to return to work. In the event that you have no remaining sick leave benefits available, accrued vacation time may be used to continue pay until long-term disability benefits begin. All available paid sick leave (including major illness leave), then all available paid vacation time, must be used concurrently from the first day of any Family Medical Leave.
You are expected to contact your supervisor as soon as you know you will be absent, and to estimate when you expect to return. All sick time off must be reported to Human Resources either on your time card (hourly employees) or your Monthly Attendance Record (administrative employees).
Major Illness Leave
Paid major illness leave is available for employees who need to be off work for an extended period due to their own major illness or injury. A major illness is defined generally as an illness or injury requiring hospital treatment and enforced recuperation under a doctor's orders in excess of 6 days. All accrued sick time must be used before a major illness leave becomes effective. The intent of the College is to provide income protection during periods of extended illness or injury until long-term disability benefits begin. Absences for sickness are covered by sick leave. Recurring, common illnesses or disabilities such as colds, a sore back, etc., which exhaust regular sick leave, do not qualify an employee for major illness benefits.
Major illness leave benefits are calculated at the time of need at a rate of 5 days for each completed calendar year of continuous employment, up to a maximum of sixty (60) working days. Major illness leave may be used up until long-term disability benefits begin. When an employee uses all available major illness leave, he or she must work a period of six (6) months before being eligible to take another major illness leave. The College may require a doctor's statement to verify the illness or inability to return to work prior to granting the major illness benefits, and/or from time to time during the leave. A doctor's statement of "fitness for duty" may also be required in order to return to work.
In the event that you have no remaining major illness leave benefits available, accrued vacation time may be used to continue pay until long-term disability benefits begin. All available paid sick leave (including major illness leave), then all available paid vacation time, must be used concurrently from the first day of any Family Medical Leave.
Last updated: Sep. 22, 2009
