(a) An employee on an approved leave of absence shall maintain his seniority. Additional sick leave and vacation shall not be accrued during the employee's personal leave.
(b) An employee on any approved leave of absence of thirty (30) calendar days in any calendar year or less shall have his or her hospitalization and surgical insurance and death benefit continued in force by the City.
(c) An employee on an approved leave of absence for more than one full calendar month shall not receive fringe benefits during the period of such leave, however, the employee may arrange to prepay through the Division of Accounts the premiums necessary to continue the employee's hospitalization and surgical insurance in force during the period of time the employee is on leave. Life insurance benefits shall be maintained during the period of such a leave.
(d) An employee on an approved leave of absence for any partial months shall be responsible for all insurance co-premiums and shall arrange to prepay through payroll deductions the co-premiums necessary to continue the employee's hospitalization and surgical insurance in force during the period of time the employee is on leave.