(A) All full-time regular employees, accrue sick leave benefits at the rate of eight hours for each calendar month of continuous employment.
(B) Employees accrue and may use sick leave during their introductory periods. Special assignment employees do not earn sick leave benefits. Employees do not accrue sick leave benefits during any leave without pay.
(C) Sick leave must be taken in minimum blocks of one-fourth hour or 15 minutes and covers those situations in which an employee is absent from work due to:
(1) Physical injury or illness to the employee;
(2) Medical or dental appointments for the employee or dependent child; provided that. the employee must make a reasonable effort to schedule such appointments at times which have the least interference with the work day (this leave must be used in one-hour increments;) that
(3) Exposure to a contagious disease where on-the-job presence of the employee would jeopardize the health of others;
(4) Use of a prescription drug which impairs job performance or safety;
(5) Actual periods of temporary disability associated with pregnancy or childbirth. Employees may request additional time off beyond the actual period of disability; vacation leave, compensatory time or leave without pay may be used; and/or
(6) The death of an immediate family member, not to exceed three working days.
(D) A doctor’s certificate may be required when an employee is absent for a period in excess of three days. The city may also request the opinion of a second doctor at the city’s expense to determine whether the employee suffers from a chronic physical or mental condition which impairs their ability to perform the job. Employees who are habitually absent due to illness or disability may be terminated if their disability cannot be reasonably accommodated and/or when the employee’s absenteeism prevents the orderly and efficient provision of services to the citizens of the city.
(E) Employees who use all their accumulated sick leave and require more time off work due to illness or injury may, with their department head’s prior approval, take leave without pay.
(Ord. 2619, passed 7-8-2003)