Paid sick time allows an employee paid time off during periods of personal illness, to obtain medical services or to care for immediate family members who are ill, and in circumstances of the death of a family member outside the scope of the Bereavement Absence Policy. Paid sick time is a privilege and not a right.

Eligibility

• Regular Benefits-Eligible Classified employees.
• Regular employees employed for less than twenty hours per week are not eligible to accrue paid sick time.
• Employees may be granted paid sick time when they are unable to perform duties because of 1) illness, injury, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions or 2) when absent for the purpose of obtaining health-related services not available outside of regular working hours.
• An employee may be granted paid sick time when the absence is the result of serious illness or communicable disease within the employee's immediate family, established household, or in situations that place primary responsibility for care on the employee.

Procedure

• Please refer to your department for specific procedures. Paid sick time should be approved in advance when possible. Sudden illnesses that result in absence must be reported to the employee's supervisor as early as possible.
• Employees who are absent from work for more than three consecutive work days due to a qualifying reason under Family and Medical Leave will have the period of absence credited to their Family and Medical Leave entitlement.

What Happens to Your Benefits?

• Paid sick time has no impact on your current benefits. Benefit premiums will continue to be deducted from your paycheck.

Forms

• Refer to your department for forms, if applicable.

Link to Policy

• Classified Staff Policy Manual, Policy 201.0

FAQs

Q: Are probationary employees eligible for paid sick time?

A: For probationary employees, paid sick time is limited to the amount the employee has earned and shall be recovered from the final paycheck if the employee terminates prior to completion of the probationary period.

Q: Am I eligible for a paid sick time balance pay-out upon my separation of employment?

A: Since paid sick time is a privilege, not an earned right, no accumulated paid sick time compensation is paid out in the event that an employee is discharged, dismissed, resigns, or dies. If separation of employment is due to retirement, or you are an ORP participant, please contact Human Resources at 621-3662 for information that pertains to your case.

Q: Am I able to use paid sick time during a UA recognized holiday?

A: If a holiday falls within a period of approved paid sick time, this time off is charged as a holiday, not as paid sick time.

Q: My aunt lives nearby and is incapacitated due to an illness/injury. May I use paid sick time to assist her?

A: Caring for your aunt does not meet the criteria defined in the policy. This situation may be considered under the vacation policy.