Medical Leave of Absence Without Pay

 

An injured or ill employee is granted a medical leave of absence without pay not to exceed six months in a 12 month period with the following provisions.

 

·         The employee makes written application to the State Superintendent no later than 15 calendar days following the expiration of any sick and/or annual leave time the employee may choose to utilize

·         The employee's absence is due to an illness or injury which is substantiated by a physician's written statement which:

o   verifies that the employee is unable to perform his/her duties

o   gives a tentative date for the employee to return to work

·         The physician verifies that the condition is not of such a nature as to render the employee permanently unable to perform his/her duties

 

While on a medical leave of absence without pay, an employee does not earn sick or annual leave and time spent on this leave does not count as service with the state.  An employee on medical leave of absence without pay will be afforded the opportunity to return to the position previously held unless this position is eliminated due to lack of funding or a reduction in force.

 

During a medical leave of absence without pay the employee is required to pay the premium currently being deducted to maintain medical/basic life insurance benefits; the Department is obligated to pay its proportionate share for one year.  The employee is also required to pay her/his optional or dependent life insurance premiums when granted a medical leave of absence.