Title
Extended Leave Policy
Action
ACTION:
Approve changes to the Extended Leave Policy to:
1) Reduce the number of weeks an employee can be out on leave to care for self, parent, spouse or child from 52 weeks to 12 weeks
2) Reduce the number of months an employee can be out on leave to bond with newborn, adoptive child or foster care placement from 6 months to 3 months
Staff Contact: Joanette Freeman, Deputy HR Director
Presentation: No
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
The current Extended Leave Policy allows employees up to 52 weeks (which includes 12 weeks of protected leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for their own serious health condition or to care for a child, spouse or parent. In addition, the employees are allowed up to 6 months to bond after: a birth, adoption or placement of a foster child.
The recommendation is to reduce the number of additional weeks an employee can be out of work due to illness from 40 to 12. Reduce employee abuse of leave in many cases positions are being held for employees because they request incremental extensions until they reach the 40-week maximum.
Employees have other options that allow them time to care for them self (Paid Family Leave, Temporary Disability Income, and accommodations through the Americans with Disabilities Act) No other surrounding government entity that allows employees this additional time away from work.
PROCUREMENT BACKGROUND:
N/A
POLICY IMPACT:
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
N/A