(A) Leave of absence without pay. Leave of absence without pay may be granted for the following reasons:
Extended illness or injury
Military leave
Maternity leave
Other leave
Employees must complete the unpaid leave of absence form (See Appendix F following this chapter). The employee will continue to receive all benefits during the first 30 days of the leave, including receiving health insurance, holiday pay, and including accumulating sick and vacation pay. After 30 days, the employee may continue his/her enrollment in the village insurance plan by arranging to pay the premiums. However, the employee shall not receive any additional vacation days, sick days, holiday pay, or other benefits after 30 days. The period of the absence will not be counted towards accumulated service time.
(B) Extended illness or injury.
(1) Any leave request due to extended illness or injury must include a statement from the employee's physician, stating that the employee is, and/or will become temporarily disabled and unable to work for a specified period of time. The report should also include a statement from the physician on the employee's availability or lack of availability for less strenuous duties. He/she must also submit a written request to his/her department head and the Village Administrator stating the reason for the leave, the date the leave is to begin, and the anticipated date of return.
(2) An employee who has sick or vacation leave accumulated may use this leave instead of taking an unpaid leave.
(3) Upon return from an approved leave of absence, every attempt will be made to return the employee to his original position or one of comparable skill and salary.
(4) An unpaid leave of absence for an extended illness or injury will be granted for a maximum of six months. Extensions may be granted for additional months to a maximum of one year. To receive an extension, the employee must submit a medical progress report and any other information that would show the need for additional time off.
(5) Upon the employee's return to work, he/she must submit a medical certification confirming the employee's ability to perform his/her duties. Employees who fail to return to work within two days after the approved leave of absence ends shall be terminated.
(C) Maternity leaves. Any employee anticipating maternity shall be entitled to an unpaid leave of absence according to the following guidelines:
(1) All employees requesting such leave shall notify their department head at least three months prior to the anticipated date of delivery. A maternity leave request must include a statement from the employee's physician, stating that the employee will become temporarily disabled for a specified period of time. The request should also include a statement from the physician on the employee's availability or lack of availability for less strenuous duties.
(2) An employee who has paid sick or vacation leave accumulated may use this leave instead of taking unpaid leave.
(3) Upon return from an approved leave of absence, every attempt will be made to return the employee to his original position or one of comparable skill and salary.
(4) Employees granted such leave shall present a physician's statement within 30 days of date of delivery as to recovery from the pregnancy. Return to service will not exceed 60 days from the date of delivery, unless cause can be shown. An extension may be approved by the department head and Village Administrator. Any employee who does not report back to work within 60 days of delivery, or who does not receive an approved extension, or who accepts other employment while on leave from the village, will be considered to have terminated her employment with the village.
(5) A male employee may apply in writing to his department head for an unpaid leave of absence due to the birth of his child according to procedures outlined in division (E) of this section.
(D) Military leave. An employee who enters active military service of the United States shall have such re- employment rights as may be provided under applicable federal law in effect at that time. The employee must notify their department head and the Village Administrator in writing of his/her entry into active military service. The employee must report to work within 60 days of discharge from the service.
(E) Other leaves of absence. A leave of absence without pay may be granted for other reasons, including:
(1) The employee desires to obtain educational credits which will contribute to their municipal service.
(2) A male employee is required to or desires to be absent due to spouse's pregnancy, childbirth or adoption of a child.
(3) An employee desires to run for local, state or national elected office.
(4) An unpaid leave of absence may also be granted for an emergency or personal crisis. Examples include, but are not limited to:
(a) Severe illness of close relative or friend.
(b) Severe emotional crisis of employee or close friend.
(c) Major damage to residence from fire, theft or other disaster.
(d) Any other emergency deemed serious enough by the department head and Village Administrator to warrant a leave of absence.
(5) Other circumstances which are deemed reasonable by the department head and Village Administrator.
(6) Any of these leaves of absence may be granted to a maximum of six months. Extensions may be granted for additional months, to a maximum of one year. For the original leave of absence, the employee shall write a letter to the department head and the Village Administrator, explaining the need for time off. The employee shall also give written notice for any and every extension he/she may need. An employee who fails to return to work within two days after the approved leave terminates shall be terminated.
(7) An employee may choose to use vacation leave in lieu of an unpaid leave for any of the reasons of this section.
(Ord. 2000-02, passed 5-17-00)