Taking of Leave (a) Annual leave shall be given and shall be taken within a period of six months after the date when the right to annual leave accrued; provided that the giving and taking of such leave may be postponed by mutual agreement between the parties for a further period not exceeding six months.
Purpose of Leave Unpaid leave may be granted for any of the following reasons:
Notice of Leave In any case in which the necessity for FMLA leave is based upon an expected birth or placement for adoption, or planned medical treatment for a serious health condition of the employee, family member, or member of the employee’s household, the employee will provide the Superintendent with at least sixty (60) calendar days advance written notice of the date the leave is to begin. When the need for FMLA leave is due to unforeseen circumstances and advance notice is not practicable, the employee will provide notice of the need for such leave as soon as practicable.
Abuse of Leave If it is found that a leave is not actually being used for the purpose for which it was granted, the Employer may cancel the leave and direct the employee to report for work by giving written notice to the employee.
Use of Leave An employee does not need to use this leave entitlement in one block. Leave can be taken intermittently or on a reduced leave schedule when medically necessary. Employees must make reasonable efforts to schedule leave for planned medical treatment so as not to unduly disrupt the employer’s operations. Leave due to qualifying exigencies may also be taken on an intermittent basis.
Commencement of Leave Parental leave must commence no later than the first anniversary date of the birth or adoption of the child or of the date on which the child comes into the actual care and custody of the employee. The employee will decide when his or her parental leave is to commence.
Period of Leave (a) The period of leave will be for 12 months, from 1 January to 31 December.
Termination of Leave Interruption of pregnancy will terminate the leave. Human Resources may require in such cases forty-five (45) days notice to return.
Duration of Leave An eligible female employee may apply for pregnancy leave, to commence after the 22nd week of pregnancy for a duration of up to 17 weeks. The pregnancy leave of an employee who is not entitled to take parental leave ends on the later of the day that is seventeen weeks after the pregnancy leave began or the day that is six weeks after the birth, still-birth or miscarriage.
Extension of Leaves Employees who are entitled to leave pursuant to Articles 20.1 and 20.2 shall be entitled to an extended leave of up to an additional six (6) months for health reasons where a doctor's certificate is presented. Such written request must be received by the Employer at least four weeks prior to the expiration of leave taken pursuant to Article 20.1 and 20.2.