(A) Duration. The duration of leave without pay shall be at the discretion of the Director/Chief or other designated management personnel, based on the reason for the request and the effect on county operations. The leave may not exceed 30 days in a rolling 12-month calendar period. All available leave must be exhausted prior to requesting leave without pay.
(B) Leave accrual. When leave of absence without pay occurs for the duration of an entire pay period, no leave of any kind shall accrue during the pay period.
(C) Approval. There is no entitlement to leave of absence without pay except where required by federal or state law. The leave must be requested and approved prior to the beginning of the leave. The Director/Chief and HR must approve all requests for leave without pay. If the Director/Chief and HR do not approve the leave as requested, the employee may make a written appeal to the County Commissioners within one business day of the leave denial. The County Commissioner's decision is final. The County may impose conditions and restrictions on approval of leave without pay.
(D) Return to active employment. An employee who has been granted leave without pay must return to work by the date the leave expires. Failure of an employee to return to duty upon the expiration of his or her leave without pay shall be interpreted as a resignation.
(Ord. 2022-15, passed 11-3-2022)