Budgetary Leave. Upon request by an employee and when authorized by the funding authority, leaves of absence without pay for up to ninety calendar days may be granted by the employer each year for the purpose of reducing the employer's operating budget. Such employees will be credited with seniority, vacation, and other benefits as if they had actually worked those hours.
Budgetary Leave. An employee may request an unpaid leave of absence under the terms of this Section. The division director or department head may, based upon the legitimate business needs of the Department, grant the request. Reasons for any denial shall be provided to the employee. Except in the circumstance where Budgetary Leave has already been approved, requests for the use of vacation shall supersede requests for Budgetary Leave.
Budgetary Leave. Notwithstanding any provision of the Labor Agreement, Civil Service Rules, or the policies of the Employer to the contrary, so long as this Agreement remains in effect, an employee may request an unpaid leave of absence under the terms of this Section. The request shall be granted unless the Chief, in his/her discretion, determines that such leave would be contrary to the legitimate business needs of the Department. Reasons for any denial shall be provided to the employee. Additionally, leaves may be cancelled upon an Emergency declaration by the Chief, but shall be sensitive to circumstances of the employee. An employee may request a leave of absence for a continuous period of not less than four weeks and not more than 12 months. Such leave shall be taken in increments of not less than one week. To be eligible for the leave, the employee must notify the Employer in writing on or before September 1 of the year prior to the calendar year in which the leave is to occur. Such written notice shall include the requested starting and ending date of the leave. Once granted by the Employer, the employee must take such leave during the period requested and may not return to work unless the Employer, in its sole discretion agrees. During such budgetary leave of absence, an employee shall continue to accrue vacation, sick leave and seniority and the Employer shall continue to pay the Employer’s portion of any health or life insurance premiums in effect with regard to such employee immediately prior to the commencement of such leave. Similarly, the employee shall continue to pay any monthly employee portions in order to maintain benefit levels.
