§ 6-13.8. Employment and benefits protection.

1.

Reinstatement. The employee shall be reinstated to the same position held when the leave began or one of like pay grade, pay, benefits, and other conditions of employment. The county may require the employee to report at reasonable intervals to the employer on the employee's status and intention to return to work. The county also may require that the employee receive certification that the employee is able to return to work.

2.

Benefits. The employee shall be reinstated without loss of benefits accrued when the leave began. All benefits accrue during any period of paid leave; however, no benefits will be accrued during any period of leave without pay.

3.

Health benefits. The county will continue the health benefit during the leave time at no cost to the employee, but the employee must continue to pay in advance any premiums for dependent coverage. After 12-week leave, if the employee does not return to work, he/she may be responsible for reimbursing the County for all health insurance premiums paid.

4.

Key employees. The law provides that "key" employees may not be given reemployment when such an absence could cause "substantial and grievous economic injury to operations". This is presently interpreted to include all department/agency heads and those other supervisors whose extended absence would cause disruption to the operations.

(Amend. of 8-2-93)