161.15 OTHER SPECIAL LEAVE.

   In addition to sick leave, injury leave, holiday leave, disability leave and FMLA, the following additional leaves are available:

   (a)   Funeral/Family Death Leave with Pay. Leave with pay may be taken upon the death of a member of the employee’s family, but not to exceed 3 days. For the purpose of this section the immediate family is defined to include spouse, parents, parents-in-law, step parent, child, step-child, brother, sister, grandparents, grandparents-in-law, grandchild, half brother, half sister, sister- in-law, brother-in-law, (spouse’s siblings or sibling’s spouse) aunt or uncle, niece or nephew.

If circumstances or travel distances from the City warrant additional time for family death leave, the Department Head may authorize such additional days, to a limit of three, but such additional days shall be taken as sick leave, compensatory time or vacation leave the employee is eligible for. An employee taking death leave must follow the same notice requirements to his supervisor as prescribed for sick leave.

   (b)   Special Leave with Pay. Upon approval of the Mayor, an employee may be granted special leave with pay to attend professional and technical conferences, meetings, and short-term schools relating to his/her duties, or to visit other municipalities to obtain information and observe practices related to his/her duties with the City. In accordance with the City’s travel policy, registration fees, travel costs, hotels and meals will be reimbursed with submitted expense reports and receipts that are pre-approved by the Department Head and submitted to the Finance Director.

   (c)   Personal/Special Leave without Pay. Personal/special leave without pay may be granted by a Department Head in case of emergency, but not in excess of three days. Personal/special leave without pay of more than three days and up to a maximum of 30 days, must have approval of the Mayor. Extended personal/special leave without pay will be granted only if the employee’s absence does not materially affect the physical or economical operation of his department and the circumstances warrant such extended leave.

   (d)   Jury Leave. If a full-time employee is called for jury duty, the City will reimburse him/her the difference between the jury fees and his/her regular wages. In order to receive jury leave pay, the employee must submit to the finance department check receipts showing the amount of jury fees received. Time spent on jury service will not be deducted in calculating the amount of sick leave and vacation earned.

      (Ord. 115-2004. Passed 12-9-04.)

   (e)   Military Leave. It is hereby declared to be policy of the City to cooperate in all activities furthering the national defense. If a full-time or part-time employee is a member of any United States Military Reserve or National Guard unit which engages in annual training exercises, and, if the employee’s military pay is less than their normal wages, he will be reimbursed the difference provided the training period is not in excess of one month. Such absence will not be deducted in calculating the amount of sick leave or vacation earned. An employee who volunteers or is called into the regular military shall be considered to be absent with leave but without pay. If and when the employee is released or discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, he will be entitled to re-employment provided application is made after discharge within 90 days for someone serving 180 days or more, within 14 days for someone serving 31 to 179 days and immediately for someone serving 30 days or less. An employee thus discharged and returning to work will have restored to their credit any sick leave unused at the time of their separation.

      (Ord. 124-2018. Passed 12-13-18.)   

   (f)   Educational Leave. A regular full-time and permanent part-time employee interested in further professional training may, with the approval of the Mayor, obtain an educational leave of absence without pay. The Mayor, with the approval of Council, may authorize an educational leave with pay for regular full-time or permanent part-time employees to take special schooling in the interests of the City. In such case the employee, after completing the schooling, shall be required to return to the City employment for a specified period determined by Council. (Ord. 22-2019. Passed 4-11-19.)

   (g)   Tuition Reimbursement. Regular full-time employees, who attend classes pertaining to their position with the City, may have tuition reimbursed by the City in the amount no greater than 50% of the cost of tuition and up to $5,000, for any year in which classes are taken. Tuition Reimbursement shall be provided after proof of successful completion of the classes consistent with the below requirements.

      The employee will sign a contract with the City which will include as conditions of reimbursement, the following provisions:

      (1)   To maintain a "B" as the minimum passing grade and submit quarterly report cards to the Mayor for each course taken.

      (2)   Agrees that should the employee terminate employment with the City of Macedonia within three (3) years from the respective date the semester or quarter of each course taken ends, the employee will reimburse the City of Macedonia for 100% of the tuition for such course(s).

      (3)   That should the employee not receive the minimum passing grade in such course of schooling, the employee will not be eligible for reimbursement for such course.

      (4)   Agrees that should the employee drop out of a course before the semester is over, the employee will not be eligible for reimbursement for such course.

   In addition to the foregoing tuition reimbursement after completion of one full year following their anniversary date of hire, a regular full-time employee is eligible to receive a one-time education payment upon proof of completion of one or more of the following degrees, if the Mayor determines that the degree is related to the employee’s position: Associate’s degree - $500.00; Bachelor’s degree - $750.00; and Master’s degree - $1,000.00. A regular full-time employee employed by the City as of the effective date of this section and who possesses one of the aforementioned degrees shall be deemed to qualify for the corresponding education payment. In the event an employee has already received an education payment, and later completes a more advanced degree, the employee shall receive the difference between the prior education payment(s) and highest education payment amount for which they qualify. (Ord. 8-2023. Passed 1-12-23.)