Pregnancy - An employee experiencing a documented high-risk pregnancy may apply for extended leave. The extended leave shall terminate upon the birth of the baby, with Baby Bonding following continuous thereafter in accordance with this Article. Employees may request in writing (which shall include the reason for the request) to the Fire Rescue Administrator to extend Baby Bonding for up to three (3) additional weeks by using either vacation or going into out-of-pay status. The Fire Rescue Administrator has the final approval which is not subject to the grievance process. If at the conclusion of maternity leave the employee is medically unable to return as a result of complications, she may start extended leave in accordance with the terms of this Article. Employees who experience a documented high-risk pregnancy and were on extended leave at the time of the birth of the baby, and who are medically unable to return as a result of complications, may continue their extended leave from prior to the birth of the baby counting their baby bonding time as part of the original extended leave. Employees may elect to use vacation time in lieu of extended leave for maternity/paternity leave purposes, provided that such leave may not exceed six (6) weeks.
