IS - 2056 Sick Leave	Human Resources Release Date: 4/13/01 Revision 1:4/30/03 Revision 2: 5/10/04 Revision 3: 3/23/06
Policy

CNM Board Policy

Employee Handbook 8.04, Sick Leave

Administrative Directive  

Introduction 

Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) recognizes that employees and members of an employee’s immediate family may get sick or injured, and that a reasonable period of time away from work may be required.  Paid sick leave is a benefit provided by CNM to enable employees to continue on paid status during an illness or injury.  This administrative directive defines the paid sick leave policy, as well as  payment for accrued sick leave. 

1. Eligible Employees  

1.1 Sick leave is an employee benefit specified only for regular, full-time employees and is intended to be used for relief in cases of personal illness, illness of immediate family member, or injury or quarantines of the employee or an immediate family member. 

1.1.1  For health care appointments, employees should submit a request for sick leave to their supervisor in advance (when possible) using a Request for Leave form.  If not possible, a Request for Leave form should be completed and submitted immediately upon return to work.

1.1.2  Upon approval of the requested leave, the supervisor signs the Request for Leave form and forwards it to the department timekeeper.  The timekeeper then submits the form to Payroll along with the employee's Timesheet/Leave Register.

1.2 Regular, full-time employees accrue sick leave as follows: 

1.2.1  Full-time instructors accrue three hours per pay period worked, up to maximum of 1362 hours (227 days).

1.2.2 Other full-time employees on an eight-hour-per-day work schedule accrue four hours per pay period, up to a maximum of 2080 hours (260 days).

1.2.3 No sick leave is accrued while an employee is on leave without pay. 

2. Authorized Use of Sick Leave      

2.1 If an absence is due to a work-related injury or illness, the president may permit advance of additional paid sick leave to the employee equal to sick leave the employee would have accrued during the balance of the fiscal year. 

2.1.1  To request an advance of paid sick leave, the employee must submit a request in writing to the President providing specific information to justify the request.  The President informs the employee in writing regarding his or her decision to approve the advance sick leave.  If approved, a copy of the President's response is forwarded to the employee and to Payroll.  The original is filed in Human Resources.     

2.2 An employee who is unable to perform duties because of personal illness or disability must notify her or his supervisor according to the procedures established in the employee’s division. 

2.3 An employee who is absent because of illness may be requested by his or her supervisor to submit a physician’s certificate attesting to the employee’s illness. 

2.4 Appointments with a healthcare provider for self and members of the immediate family are legitimate reasons for sick leave absence.  Prior arrangements must be made with the employee’s supervisor, and adequate documentation may be required. 

2.5 Abuse of sick leave is sufficient reason for disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or other disciplinary action. 

3. Payment for Accrued Sick Leave  

3.1 An employee who (1) was employed in full-time status prior to July 1, 1990, and who (2) has continuously maintained that employment status, and who (3) either (a) terminates full-time employment with CNM and simultaneously retires under the Educational Retirement Act (ERA), or (b) dies while still employed by CNM after becoming eligible to retire under ERA shall be entitled to receive payment for accrued sick leave at the following conversion rates: 

3.1.1 Fewer than 150 days, one day of pay will be given for each three days of sick leave. 

3.1.2 Between 150 and 260 days (staff), 227 days (instructor), one day of pay will be given for each two days of sick leave in excess of 150.

3.1.3  Accrued leave in excess of 260 days for staff and 227 days for instructors will be forfeited if not used.

3.2 Employees who qualify will receive a lump sum payment which is subject to the usual payroll taxes with the exception of the Educational Retirement Act (ERA).

3.3 Employees not employed prior to July 1, 1990 shall receive no payment for accrued sick leave.

3.4 If the employee qualifies for the payout of sick leave, payment is issued at the time of the next paycheck.

4. Definitions

Forms:	Request for Leave  Timesheet/Leave Register
Support Materials:	N/A
Reference Materials:	Employee Handbook 8.04, Sick Leave Employee Handbook  8.05, Payment for Accrued Sick Leave