Procedure for Requesting Unpaid Personal Leave. Requests for an unpaid personal leave of absence must be submitted in writing by the employee to the Elected Official or Department Head at least thirty (30) days in advance of the date the unpaid leave is to commence, except in emergency situations. The request for the unpaid leave of absence shall state the reason for the unpaid leave and the exact dates on which the unpaid leave is to begin and end. Authorization or denial of an unpaid leave of absence shall be furnished to the employee in writing by the Employer. Any request for an extension of an unpaid leave of absence must be submitted in writing to the Employer at least ten (10) days in advance of the expiration date of the original unpaid leave, if possible, stating the reasons for the extension request and the exact revised date the employee is expected to return to work. Authorization or denial of the extension request shall be furnished in writing to the employee by the Employer. Authorization of an unpaid leave of absence under this Section shall not be withheld unreasonably. Any employee on unpaid leave of absence (when the employee is not being paid through payroll) will not accrue benefits (pension, vacation days, etc.), step increases within an established salary range, or any other benefits under this Agreement which are conditioned on service. During an unpaid personal leave of absence, the employee shall be responsible for his or her insurance premiums consistent with Section 16.6 of this agreement and failure to provide the insurance premiums shall result in discontinuance of the employee’s coverage.
