A) The employee, while absent on sick pay, must notify the City under agreed practices. When claiming sick days an employee must remain at home caring for his illness unless away receiving medical attention such as in a hospital, at a doctor's office or at a pharmacy, and be able to document the absence from home. An employee who is recuperating from surgery or other major medical condition and who has not been released to return to work by a physician within ten (10) work days does not have to remain at home provided that their physician's statement indicates that remaining home is not necessary to their full and fast recovery. The employee then shall be allowed under these conditions to continue to receive sick pay benefits.
B) When the use of sick time extends beyond three (3) consecutive workdays, the employee shall furnish the City with a City "Statement of Attending Physician".
C) Effective June 1, 2006, when an accumulation of sick time taken within a calendar year reaches five (5) days or forty (40) hours, that is not FMLA-approved, or is not otherwise documented as specified below, then the employee shall be notified that use of more than six (6) days or forty-eight (48) hours of non-FMLA or undocumented sick time that year may be cause for discipline. When the accumulation of non-FMLA approved or undocumented sick time exceeds six (6) days or forty-eight (48) hours, the employee may be subject to discipline. Prior to any disciplinary action being taken, the City will afford the employee an opportunity to document any legitimate reason(s) for the use of sick time.
D) Sick time is defined as any sick time that is not FMLA- approved or is not otherwise documented. Documented sick time, for purposes of this section, shall be restricted to notes or other documentation from a medical office (physician, nurse practitioner, nurse, dentist, chiropractor, physical therapist) school official or the city health care provider.
E) An employee who goes home sick after reporting for work, shall receive written notification for the second occurrence in a calendar year that does not meet a requirement as set forth in (d) above. The written notice shall instruct the employee that the same conduct in the future will result in the employee being required to submit appropriate documentation addressing the reasons for leaving early for the remainder of the calendar year. This provision shall not be applicable when the employee has a documented pre-approved doctor's or dentist's appointment. Nor shall it apply where an employee is authorized to report to work for a partial workday, on a day the employee would otherwise take the entire day as sick leave. Authorization to report to work under this provision will be requested by direct verbal communication between the employee and the employer or its designee, and confirmed as soon as practicable in writing.
F) Failure to provide a "Statement of Attending Physician" or documentation when required by this agreement may subject the employee to disciplinary action.
G) Any absence from duty as the result of a claimed illness or injury may be investigated during the employee's normal working hours by an authorized City representative.
H) Any employee found guilty of abusing sick pay benefits provisions hereto set forth or whose reasons for absence are falsified shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.