Miscellaneous Leaves Frequently Asked Questions
When I take leave, am I required to use leave balances?
- Yes, unless the individual leave type states otherwise, or your leave is protected by FMLA and/or CFRA and you are receiving a wage replacement through the State (i.e. SDI or PFL).
- Note: If you are on an unpaid leave of absence, your benefits will be impacted. Contact the Employee Benefits Office to discuss your situation via phone (916) 874-2020 or email mybenefits@saccounty.gov.
If I have exhausted all protected leave, how much additional leave is permitted?
- The County is not required to authorize leave that exceeds, or is in addition to, the time protected by law. However, the department may authorize additional leave on a case-by-case basis.
- Note: Depending on individual circumstances, the County may be required to grant additional leave through the ADA/FEHA reasonable accommodation process.
After taking a leave, do I return to the same job?
- You have the right to return to the same class in the same department, but there is no guarantee that you will return to the same job dependent on business needs.
Can I take Bereavement Leave and Family Death Leave for the same family member?
- Yes, provided the leave is for an eligible family member under both Bereavement Leave and Family Death Leave. Bereavement Leave defines family member as a spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, domestic partner, or parent-in-law. For Family Death Leave eligible family members, refer to your labor agreement, or the Personnel Ordinance for unrepresented employees.
How do I request Bereavement Leave?
- Your request must be provided in writing, in accordance with department procedures, identifying the relationship of the family member and requested days off. You may be required to provide documentation of the death of the family member within 30 days of the first day of leave.
What Documentation may my supervisor ask for to verify Bereavement Leave?
- Your supervisor may request an obituary, death certificate, memorial card or other appropriate documentation.
Is Bereavement Leave paid?
- Bereavement Leave is unpaid, but you may choose to use any available leave balances, or leave without pay.
My spouse is in the military; when can I take leave for this purpose?
- Your spouse or domestic partner must be an active member of the United States Armed Forces, National Guard, or Army Reserve and be on leave from deployment during a period of military conflict.
Can I take the leave intermittently, or must I take the ten days consecutively?
- You can take the leave intermittently or consecutively. You should work with your Department to determine mutually agreeable dates to take time off to spend with your spouse or registered domestic partner.
Can I take this leave if my spouse or registered domestic partner is assigned in a non-combat zone?
- If your spouse or registered domestic partner is a member of the United States Armed Forces, they must have been deployed during a period of military conflict to qualify for this leave.
- If your spouse or registered domestic partner is a member of the Reserves or National Guard, they must have been ordered to active duty to qualify for this leave.
What documentation do I need to provide to the County?
- You must provide official notice of the dates of your spouse’s or registered domestic partner’s leave with your absence request within two days of receipt of the official notice.
How long will I be on an unpaid leave of absence?
- You will remain on a leave of absence until SCERS makes a determination on your eligibility for disability retirement.
How do I request Reproductive Loss Leave?
- Your request must be provided in writing, in accordance with department procedures, identifying the requested days off.
If I have more than one reproductive loss event, am I entitled to take up to 5 days off for each occurrence?
- You may take up to 5 days off for each reproductive loss event; however, a maximum of 20 days of reproductive loss leave will be granted in a 12-month period.
Is Reproductive Loss Leave paid?
- You must use any available leave balances while taking leave for a reproductive loss event. Unpaid leave is permitted if all leave balances have exhausted.
Do I receive 40 hours per child each year?
- No. The maximum amount of time that the County is required to approve is 8 hours per calendar month and a total of 40 hours per year regardless of the number of children.
My spouse and I are both employed by the same County department and work at the same work site. Can we both take time off to attend an activity for our child?
- Only one employee is entitled to take time off for this purpose, unless the appointing authority agrees otherwise. If the department is unable to allow both employees to take the same time off, the employee who submitted their request first is granted the time off.
What is considered reasonable notice for the purpose of requesting time off for school activities?
- If the needed leave is foreseeable, the employee should provide the employer two weeks’ notice.
- If a two-week notice is not possible or the leave is unforeseeable, the employee should give notice as soon as possible; in most cases, this means within one to two business days of learning of the need for leave.
- If due to business necessity the leave cannot be accommodated, it may be denied.
Who is eligible to take leave because of a suspended child?
- Any County employee who is a parent or guardian of a child in kindergarten through twelfth grade who has been suspended from school is eligible to take leave for this reason.
My doctor placed me off work for treatment resulting from a qualifying act of violence. Do I take FMLA/CFRA leave or Victims of Violence Leave?
- Victims of Violence Leave provides job protection only, while FMLA/CFRA leave provides both job and benefit protection.
- If you provide medical certification and qualify for FMLA/CFRA leave, it will run concurrently with Victims of Violence Leave.
If I am given time off to vote, how should I record the time on my timesheet?
- The first two hours are recorded as time worked. Any additional time requires use of leave balances other than sick leave.
When do I need to request time off to vote?
- You must give your supervisor two working days’ notice of the need for time off.