Maximum Use of Extended Sick Leave. If an employee has exhausted the maximum of 26 weeks of extended sick leave, a statement shall be requested from his/her physician concerning the employee's ability to re- turn to work. If the employee's physician certifies that the employee is totally and permanently incapacitated and unable to return to work, the employee shall be terminated or retired or placed on a leave of absence without pay pending the ability to be placed on appropriate benefits, i.e., social security. Such termination shall be considered to be in good standing. If the employee's physician states that the employee is unable to return to work upon conclusion of extended sick leave, but shall be able to at a later date or to a different position, the employee shall have the choice to terminate or may request a leave of absence without pay as per Board policy. An employee who is placed on leave without pay shall be required to produce periodic written statements from his/ her physician concerning the condition and may, at any time, be required to undergo a physical examination by a County-designated physician. If such employee desires, he/she shall be considered for any County vacancy that he/she would be capable of performing, as certified by his/her physician.
Maximum Use of Extended Sick Leave. Three weeks prior to the expiration of the 26th week of extended sick leave, the administration in charge of the personnel unit shall send a letter to the employee requesting him/her to obtain a statement from his/her physician concerning the employee's ability to return to work. The statement from the physician must be received in the administration in charge of the personnel unit no later than one week before the expiration of the 26th week of extended sick leave. If this statement is not received by the administration in charge of the personnel unit in the time limit specified, the employee shall be placed on an unauthorized leave without pay after the expiration of the 26th week of extended sick leave. A certified letter shall be sent to the employee advising him/her of this action and advising that failure of the administration in charge of the personnel unit to receive the required statement within five working days of receipt of the warning letter shall result in the employee's services being terminated. Such termination shall not be considered to be in good standing. If the employee's physician certifies that the employee is totally and permanently incapacitated and unable to return to work, the administration in charge of the personnel unit shall process the necessary forms to terminate or retire the employee or place on a leave without pay pending the ability to be placed on appropriate benefits. If the physician certifies that the employee is unable to return to work upon conclusion of extended sick leave, but shall be able to at a later date, the administration in charge of the personnel unit shall process the necessary forms to place the employee on a leave without pay. If a vacancy does not exist within the Department to which the employee can qualify nor a vacancy to which the employee can transfer, the employee shall have the choice to terminate employment, or terminate from the Department and be placed on leave without pay. An employee who has been placed on a leave without pay may not return to work unless he/she follows the steps outlined in Section 3 of this procedure. Policy
