2012 ESP Handbook - Alabama Education Association

• Sick leave is granted “upon request” – when you ask
to use it, you can. It is presumed that you are using it
for the reasons outlined in the law.
• Failure to properly “request leave” for an absence
can result in charges of neglect of duty.
• Unused personal leave days can be converted into
sick leave days at the end of the year.
Family Medical Leave
• Federal law (Family Medical Leave Act) requires this
benefit of all businesses that employ over 50
employees.
• Can be used for personal illness or injury, or
attendance upon an ill family member or a new
child.
• To be eligible, employees must have worked a
minimum of 1,250 hours during the previous year.
• Employees can request up to 12 weeks of unpaid
Family Medical Leave. Under some circumstances,
boards may grant extensions.
• During the leave, the board will continue to pay the
state allocation of the employee’s health care
premium (PEEHIP). This is only an advantage to
those covered by PEEHIP.
• If Family Medical Leave (FML) runs out before the
employee is ready to return to work, the employee
can request “unpaid leave” – no benefits are paid by
the board once FML has expired.
On-The-Job Injury
• Report any injury within 24 hours to your immediate
supervisor. This report may be verbal. However,
we suggest giving a written report and retaining
a copy of the report. (See sample.) In case you
are physically unable to make this report, another
person may make it for you.
• Your school system may have established other
notification procedures or forms by written policy.
Check with your UniServ Director to determine
if there are other procedures or forms to be
completed.
• Your school system may require medical certification
from your physician if you are unable to return to
work as a result of the injury. A second opinion from
a physician may be required at the expense of the
school system.
This is the Law:
6
• Upon determination that you may not return to
work as a result of the on-the-job injury, your salary
and benefits shall be continued for a period of up to
90 work days. Your school system may have adopted
policies that extend this period. Check with your
UniServ Director concerning your school system’s
policies. If you do not report your injury with 24
hours you will not be eligible for this on-the-job
injury leave.
• Additional expenses incurred by you because of the
on-the-job injury may be filed for reimbursement
with the State Board of Adjustment. These would
include, but not be limited to, medical co-pays,
prescriptions, and lost wages over 90 days. THIS
CLAIM MUST BE FILED WITHIN ONE (1) YEAR
OF THE INCIDENT. Your UniServ Director can
provide you with assistance in filing your claim.
Sick Leave Bank
• Committee (elected from among participating
employees) sets guidelines for operation.
• Provides for “catastrophic leave” benefits –
extended leave covered by days donated by other
participating employees from any school system in
Alabama.
• Catastrophic leave may be used for pregnancy.
• Only members of a sick leave bank can donate days
or receive donated days in the event of a catastrophic
illness.
(continued on next page)
Sample Initial Reporting Form:
Employee Name __________________________
Date _________________________
School/Department _____________ _____________
Site of Injury __________ _____________
Description of Injury __________________________
Employee Signature _________ _________________
Supervisor’s Signature ____ _______________