The following will apply to leave without pay for reasons other than those covered by the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

Leave without pay is that period of time in which the employee is absent from his/her regular work assignment generally after exhausting all applicable leave, including sick, vacation, and holiday. Leave without pay may be requested for periods of family leave, illness, education needs, or for other unusual situations.

A full time or part time employee may submit a leave request form (1-4 days) or a written request (5 or more days) for leave of absence without pay. The request shall be submitted to the employee’s supervisor 30 days prior to the leave. Emergency situations may not allow for 30 day notice and will be handled on an individual basis.

• The request must indicate the beginning and ending dates for the leave.

• The request must include the reason the leave is necessary. A doctor’s statement may be required for medical leave.

• If the leave is for Family Leave, the guidelines in the Family and Medical Leave Policy 7.4 shall be followed including completing the required FMLA Request Forms as outlined in the policy.

The supervisor must sign off on the request before submitting it to the Regional Office for approval/disapproval. The Library Director and the Board of Trustees shall approve/disapprove any leave without pay requests.

• The Library Director shall approve/disapprove LWOP requests from 1-4 days in length (use Leave Request Form)

• The Board of Trustees shall approve/disapprove LWOP requests for 5 days and over (written request).

If the employee is unable to return to work on the established date, he/she may request an extension in writing two weeks prior to the expiration of the leave. The extension must be reviewed and approved/disapproved by the employee’s supervisor, the Library Director, and the Board of Trustees. Failure to return to work at the end of the approved leave may be treated as a resignation.

Sick leave and vacation leave do not accrue while the employee is on an approved leave of absence for 30 calendar days or more. Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage will be maintained during leave without pay for a period up to 30 calendar days. The library will continue to pay its share of the insurance premium, and the employee must continue to pay their usual share. If an employee is on approved leave without pay for longer than 30 calendar days the employee is responsible for the full premium amount(s) for health, dental, and vision insurance.

Revisions Approved by the Board of Trustees, October 19, 2017