Bereavement Leave
The County Ordinance Code and the various MOUs provide that sick leave may be used for the employee’s preparation for or attendance at the funeralRead More →
Can an employee use other accrued leave in lieu of sick leave to cover unplanned medical absences?
As stated in the MOUs, approval to use accrued vacation, holiday, and compensatory time hours is and has always been at management’s discretion. Historically, someRead More →
Coding the Timecard
AFSCME, Confidential, PDA, SEIU, SMCCE: Employees who use paid sick leave and work extra hours in the same work week code the corresponding extra hoursRead More →
Does an employee have to provide a release to work after every illness?
Generally, an employee is not required to provide a release to return to work after illnesses. Some examples of when a release should be requiredRead More →
How do I determine whether an employee’s attendance constitutes “excessive absenteeism”?
Although there is no magic number of absences that equate to excessive absenteeism, there are a number of factors to consider which can lead toRead More →
How does a supervisor address leave problems?
Corrective Action Steps As in all corrective action, supervisors/managers must consider all pertinent facts and potential mitigating circumstances before taking action. Some factors to beRead More →
How must a timecard be coded when an employee uses paid sick leave and works overtime in the same week?
In all contracts bargained between employee organizations and the County of San Mateo in years 2005-2007, it was agreed that paid sick leave would noRead More →
If an employee brings in doctor’s notes as required, is there anything a supervisor can do about excessive sick leave?
Yes. Civil Service Rule XIII lists “excessive absenteeism and/or tardiness” as a basis for disciplinary action. Case law has consistently held that an employer hasRead More →
Is an employee entitled to use vacation leave whenever it is requested, if they have a balance of vacation hours?
No. Vacation leave is requested in advance and approved or denied by the supervisor or manager based on such factors as workload and office coverage.Read More →
Must every request for sick leave be approved?
No. Sick leave is used for very specific purposes as outlined in the various MOUs and in the Ordinance Code. An employee whose sick leaveRead More →
Must vacation leave be approved when an employee is tardy?
No. For occasional instances of tardiness, it is appropriate to allow employees to charge the tardy to vacation rather than charging AWOL or Leave withoutRead More →
Sample Counseling Memo for Tardiness
DATE: Today’s Date TO: Name, Office Assistant II FROM: Name, Supervisor SUBJECT: Tardiness EMPLOYEE NAME, on (dates) you were tardy in your arrival to work.Read More →
Sample Leave Restriction Letter
– PLACE ON YOUR DEPARTMENTAL LETTERHEAD – DATE: Today’s Date TO: Employee, Classification FROM: Supervisor, Title SUBJECT: Letter of Warning and Leave Restriction This isRead More →
Sample Letter of Reprimand – Absenteeism
– PLACE ON YOUR DEPARTMENTAL LETTERHEAD – Date: To: Employee, Classification From: Supervisor, Title Subject: Letter of Reprimand This is an official Letter of ReprimandRead More →
Sample Skelly Decision Letter – AWOL (Non-Punitive Discipline)
– PLACE ON YOUR DEPARTMENTAL LETTERHEAD – DATE Employee Address Dear Ms. Employee: Please take notice that you are issued a letter that equates toRead More →
Sample Skelly Intent Letter – Attendance (Non-Punitive Discipline)
– PLACE ON YOUR DEPARTMENTAL LETTERHEAD – DATE Name Classification Department (Hand delivered) Dear Mr. NAME: Please take notice that it is the intent ofRead More →
Scenarios and Recommended Action Steps
Scenario I – George is a Fiscal Office Assistant II who works from 8:00 5:00 with a one hour lunch. George drives his children to childcare in theRead More →
Tardiness and Absenteeism
Correction of tardiness and absenteeism is one of the most complex and frustrating areas of Employee & Labor Relations for supervisors. Dealing with tardiness isRead More →
What are some examples of leave problems?
Tardiness – Everyone will arrive late to work on occasion due to unexpected traffic problems or unavoidable occurrences prior to leaving home. Tardiness becomes aRead More →
What can I do to avoid leave problems?
General Guidance Expectations – The most important step you can take is to clearly communicate your expectations to staff. Supervisors must clearly communicate to employeesRead More →
What is the difference between leave without pay, and absence without leave?
Leave without pay (LWOP) is considered approved leave. If an employee requests time off and the request is approved, but the employee does not haveRead More →
When can a supervisor request a doctor’s note?
Some departments have a written or unwritten policy that any absence in excess of three working days must be accompanied by a physician’s statement. TheRead More →