161.16 INJURY LEAVE.

   (a)   Injury leave shall be paid any full-time employee who suffers an incapacitating job-related injury or illness while on the job in service to the City. Such injury may include exposure of the employee to a contagious disease which could be communicated to and jeopardize the health of other employees, if such exposure and jeopardy is certified by a physician. Such injury leave shall be paid at the employee's prevailing rate of pay and be limited to a total of not more than twelve months per occurrence.

   (b)   Full-time employees who have been injured on the job must make application for injury leave by making a written request through their department head. The request for injury leave shall outline the circumstances of the injury and include a physician's report indicating the physical condition which necessitates the injury leave and the length of time necessary for recovery and a completed OSHA injury report.

   (c)   The City retains the right to have an employee examined by a physician acceptable to or appointed by the Mayor.

   (d)   When a request for injury leave is received by the department head, the department head shall process the request to the Mayor and recommend approval or denial based on the circumstances of the injury and the attached reports.

   (e)   All requests for injury leave require the Mayor's approval before they are implemented. In order to be eligible for injury leave, the following conditions shall be met:

      (1)   The accident shall have been immediately reported to the employee’s supervisor. (Ord. 95-94. Passed 12-6-94.)

      (2)   An accident report form shall have been completed and a copy provided to the Department of Human Resources. (Ord. 076-2011. Passed 12-20-11.)

      (3)   The department head recommends the injury leave and the nonnegligent aspects of the injury are recorded for the Mayor's approval.

   (f)   During the injury leave period, all wage or salary benefits resulting from Worker's Compensation shall be reimbursed to the City.

   (g)   Employees on injury leave are prohibited from working at other jobs.

   (h)   For the purposes of this policy, injury is defined as a physical or traumatic harm or mishap which damages the health of an employee, causing the employee to be unable to perform the substantial and material responsibilities of his/her position. Aggravated or reoccurring injuries which are not a result of the employee's job responsibilities are not covered under this policy.

   (i)   Upon expiration of injury leave, an employee may use sick leave as provided in Section 161.17. (Ord. 95-94. Passed 12-6-94.)