Sick Leave Pool(CCEA Express, August 2009)
Article 18 of the CCEA/CCSD Negotiated Agreement provides for a Sick Leave Pool. Teachers with 6 days of accrued sick leave as of September 1 may enroll in the sick leave pool by contributing one (1) day of earned sick leave to the Pool between September 1 and September 30.
The Sick Leave Pool allows teachers the ability to qualify for no more than one hundred (100) sick leave days when certain requirements are met.
The following are some eligibility requirements for access to the Sick Leave Pool:
• Contributed one (1) earned sick day during the open enrollment period;
• Sick leave day must have been contributed at least thirty (30) days prior to applying for days from the sick leave pool;
• All accrued sick leave and personal leave has been exhausted;
• Absence for at least ten (10) consecutive days;
• Suffering from a CATASTROPHIC illness or injury;
• Submit an application with doctor certification.
Only one (1) day needs to be contributed over a lifetime, unless the number of days in the sick leave pool falls below 1,000. One does not need to contribute yearly to be eligible. Days contributed to the sick leave pool are non-refundable. Furthermore, teachers receiving Sick Leave Pool benefits cannot accrue sick leave.
Once an application is received, the Sick Leave Pool Committee — composed of an equal number of members appointed by CCEA and the school district — convene and determine eligibility on a case-by-case basis. The Committee may also request further information.
The Committee has provided guidance as to examples of types of “catastrophic” illness or injury. These examples include: AIDS, cancer, cerebral palsy, hemophilia, spinal cord injuries, to name a few. Elective surgeries are not catastrophic.
It is important to note that teachers who have been disciplined for abuse of sick leave do not qualify to access the Sick Leave Pool. Additionally, any abuse of the Sick Leave Pool will require reimbursement of days to the Pool, and may result in disciplinary action.
An employee’s first and foremost duty is to be at work. The Sick Leave Pool is another great opportunity for teachers who are facing a catastrophic illness or injury to address not being disciplined for being absent without leave and not being paid.
The Sick Leave Pool was negotiated in 1998. Since its inception, 10,745 days have been granted. During the 2008-2009 school year 1,441 days were granted to 38 teachers. Open enrollment will be held during the month of September. Forms to enroll in the Sick Leave Pool may be obtained through CCEA or the school’s office manager. Applications and questions regarding eligibility is one of many services provided by CCEA.
Article 18 of the CCEA/CCSD Negotiated Agreement provides for a Sick Leave Pool. Teachers with 6 days of accrued sick leave as of September 1 may enroll in the sick leave pool by contributing one (1) day of earned sick leave to the Pool between September 1 and September 30.
The Sick Leave Pool allows teachers the ability to qualify for no more than one hundred (100) sick leave days when certain requirements are met.
The following are some eligibility requirements for access to the Sick Leave Pool:
• Contributed one (1) earned sick day during the open enrollment period;
• Sick leave day must have been contributed at least thirty (30) days prior to applying for days from the sick leave pool;
• All accrued sick leave and personal leave has been exhausted;
• Absence for at least ten (10) consecutive days;
• Suffering from a CATASTROPHIC illness or injury;
• Submit an application with doctor certification.
Only one (1) day needs to be contributed over a lifetime, unless the number of days in the sick leave pool falls below 1,000. One does not need to contribute yearly to be eligible. Days contributed to the sick leave pool are non-refundable. Furthermore, teachers receiving Sick Leave Pool benefits cannot accrue sick leave.
Once an application is received, the Sick Leave Pool Committee — composed of an equal number of members appointed by CCEA and the school district — convene and determine eligibility on a case-by-case basis. The Committee may also request further information.
The Committee has provided guidance as to examples of types of “catastrophic” illness or injury. These examples include: AIDS, cancer, cerebral palsy, hemophilia, spinal cord injuries, to name a few. Elective surgeries are not catastrophic.
It is important to note that teachers who have been disciplined for abuse of sick leave do not qualify to access the Sick Leave Pool. Additionally, any abuse of the Sick Leave Pool will require reimbursement of days to the Pool, and may result in disciplinary action.
An employee’s first and foremost duty is to be at work. The Sick Leave Pool is another great opportunity for teachers who are facing a catastrophic illness or injury to address not being disciplined for being absent without leave and not being paid.
The Sick Leave Pool was negotiated in 1998. Since its inception, 10,745 days have been granted. During the 2008-2009 school year 1,441 days were granted to 38 teachers. Open enrollment will be held during the month of September. Forms to enroll in the Sick Leave Pool may be obtained through CCEA or the school’s office manager. Applications and questions regarding eligibility is one of many services provided by CCEA.