Employee Handbook

BEREAVEMENT

An employee requesting a leave of absence to attend the funeral of an immediate family member will generally receive time off with pay for up to three consecutive regularly scheduled work days (up to 24 hours). Additional leave time may be charged to vacation or leave without pay, with the approval of the City Manager. The City understands that a death in the family can be a difficult time, and we will make reasonable efforts to accommodate your leave request under these circumstances.

For the purposes of this policy, immediate family is defined as the employee's: spouse, child, father, mother, brother, sister, grandparents, guardian; plus, the various combinations of half, step, in-law, and adopted relationships that can be derived from those here named. Exceptions to the above listing must be approved by the City Manager.

LEAVE WITHOUT PAY

A full or part-time employee may be granted a leave of absence without pay for a period of up to six (6) months by the City Manager. The leave shall be used for reasons of personal disability after both sick leave and annual leave have been exhausted, continuation of education, special work that will permit the City to benefit by the experience gained or the work performed, or for other reasons deemed justified by the City Manager.

The employee shall apply in writing to the supervisor for leave. The employee is obligated to return to duty within or at the end of the time determined appropriate by the City Manager. Upon returning to duty after being on leave without pay, the employee shall be entitled to return to the same position held at the time leave was granted or to one of like classification, seniority, and pay. Time spent in a leave without pay status shall not apply toward credited service and benefits shall not accrue. If the employee decides not to return to work, the supervisor shall be notified immediately. Failure to report at the expiration of a leave of absence, unless an extension has been requested, shall be considered a resignation.

LEAVE WITHOUT PAY: RETENTION AND CONTINUATION OF BENEFITS

An employee shall retain all unused vacation and sick leave while on leave without pay. An employee ceases to earn leave credits on the date leave without pay begins. The employee may continue to be eligible for benefits under the City's group insurance plans at his or her own expense, subject to any regulation adopted by the City Council and the regulations of the insurance carrier.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION/OCCUPATIONAL DISABILITY LEAVE

All injuries arising out of and in the course of one's employment shall be governed by the Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Law.

The employee who is receiving workers’ compensation disability payments may use accumulated leave (sick and vacation) to supplement the amount received through the disability payments in an amount which would enable the employee to receive full monthly compensation. The amount of accumulated leave (sick and vacation) will be determined by considering the amount of TTD benefits received and determining the amount of accumulated leave that would meet the employee’s monthly compensation. To receive full pay for an occupational injury or illness, the employee must use accumulated leave until it is exhausted, at which time full pay is terminated. No employee is to receive full pay from the City as well as workers’ compensation disability payments. Workers’ compensation medical payments are made directly to the physician, medical facility, or medical supply firm.