(A) (1) The City Manager or designee may grant leaves of absence without pay for absence from work not covered by any other type of leave or if other leave balances are exhausted.
(2) Examples of situations for which leave without pay may be granted include time off work for personal reasons, such as prolonged illness, parenting, caring for an ill relative, pursuing an education or fulfilling a military obligation in excess of 15 days per year.
(B) Only regular full-time and part-time employees who have satisfactorily completed their introductory period are eligible for leave without pay. The following requirements apply.
(1) Leave may be granted to an employee for a period of up to 90 days upon the approval of the City Manager. Further extensions are at the discretion of the City Manager.
(2) Accrued compensatory time, if any, and vacation leave must be exhausted prior to taking any leave without pay.
(3) An employee’s benefits are suspended during the period of unpaid leave until the employee returns to work. Vacation, sick leave and/or any other benefits do not accrue while an employee is on leave without pay.
(4) In certain circumstances, self-payment of benefits may apply. See § 34.097 of this chapter on insurance benefits.
(5) An employee who fails to report promptly at the end of the unpaid leave is presumed to have resigned. An employee returning from a temporary disability may, at the city’s option, return to the same position or similar position at a comparable rate of pay.
(6) If the leave without pay is due to an illness, the city may require a doctor’s certificate stating that the employee is capable of returning to work and performing the work, duties and responsibilities of the employee’s position.
(Ord. 2619, passed 7-8-2003)