Illness leave

Adopted by Spokane Public Library Board of Trustees on November 21, 1994; revised February 19, 2003; revised March 17, 2004; revised April 21, 2009.

1. GENERAL

This policy is divided into the following sections:

SECTION 1 – GENERAL

SECTION 2 – STATEMENT OF POLICY

SECTION 3 – ACCRUAL RATES AND RETENTION OF UNUSED ACCRUALS

SECTION 4 – PAYMENT AT RETIREMENT OR TERMINATION

SECTION 5 – ADMINISTRATION

2. STATEMENT OF POLICY

It is the policy of Spokane Public Library to provide its employees illness leave for their use when the employee is incapable of reporting to work due to personal illness or injury; to care for a sick child; in the case of serious illness, injury, or the death of a member of the employee’s immediate family; for paternity purposes; and for the employee’s doctor and dentist appointments or those of their minor children. The Spokane Public Library will fully comply with all state and federal statues relevant to leave administration. It is expected that employees will use illness leave judiciously and for the purposes for which it is intended. Improper or fraudulent use of leave is subject to disciplinary action.

3. ACCRUAL RATES AND RETENTION OF UNUSED ACCRUALS

• Each full time employee will accrue four hours illness leave each bi-weekly pay period, provided that the employee is in a paid status at least 80% of that pay period.
• Regular part-time employees will accrue illness leave on a pro rata basis.
• Unused illness leave is accumulated in each employee’s illness leave account as insurance against a long absence in the future. There is no limit to the number of hours that may be carried over as an accrual balance from pay period to pay period or from year to year.
• Extra help, seasonal and temporary employees are not entitled to illness leave.

4. PAYMENT AT RETIREMENT OR TERMINATION

• 40% of up to 960 hours of an employee’s accrued illness leave shall be paid to all employees upon retirement, or to the employee’s estate in the event of death. Upon retirement is defined for this purpose as having applied and been approved for a retirement benefit through the Spokane City Retirement System prior to termination of employment, so that the termination is processed as a All illness leave hours in excess of 960 hours shall be disregarded. Payment shall be made at the employee’s rate of pay at the time of retirement or death.
• Terminating managerial and professional employees with a minimum of five years of service, and leaving in good standing, will be paid for 25% of up to 960 hours of their accrued illness leave. This provision does not apply to Local 270 represented

5. ADMINISTRATION

Library Administration has full authority to develop and enforce administrative processes and procedures regarding the use of illness leave accruals.