Howard County                                   2235

3.    When an employee becomes ill it shall be incumbent on said em-
ployee to notify his or her immediate supervisor before the start of the
shift on the first day of illness and the probable date of return to work.
Absence due to illness, for over three consecutive days must be substantiated
by a certificate from a practicing physician describing the nature of the
illness, date treatment began, and date of discharge or probably date or
discharge, from treatment.

a. If the supervisor suspects that there is an abuse of sick leave, the
employee is to be put on notice that a Doctor's certificate confirming his
illness must be submitted upon his return to work from his next sick
leave, even though this may be less than three days. Failure to notify the
supervisor of illness or abuse of sick leave will be considered sufficient
cause for disciplinary action.

4.    Absence due to injuries incurred while on duty shall be substan-
tiated by a sick leave request, however absence for such injuries shall
not be deducted from any leave earned by the employee if the injury is
covered by Workmen's Compensation.

5.    Employees leaving County employment are not entitled to compen-
sation for unused sick leave, except that employees retiring after twenty
(20) years with exceptional attendance records may be awarded additional
compensation on the basis of unused sick leave by approval of the Personnel
Board.

6.    Regular part-time employees shall receive one-half Sick Benefits
in accordance with the regulations for full-time employees in case of illness.
Regular part-time employees shall be those who work not less than one-
half of the work week, or 17½ hours. WORK WEEK APPLICABLE TO
THE DEPARTMENT TO WHICH HE IS ASSIGNED.

I. Maternity Leave

1.    In maternity cases, no employee may continue on active duty be-
yond the second month prior to the expected date of delivery.

2.    No employee may return to active duty for a minimum of six
weeks after delivery and then only if a vacancy is available. The employee
must provide a certificate from her physician stating that she is able to
resume her duties.

3.    The approval of maternity leave shall not be interpreted to mean
that the employee granted leave will upon her return be restored to the
position she leaves unless the position is vacant and available or filled by a
temporary employee. If not restored to the position left, the employee's
name will be placed on priority re-employment list for positions for which
qualified for a period of one (1) year.

J. Holiday Leave

a.    All employees permanent and probationary, shall be granted holi-
day leave as prescribed in the Merit System Rules. Holiday leave shall not
be deducted from any other leave earned by any employee. Pay for
holiday leave will only be authorized if the employee is available for work
or on authorized leave on the regular work day preceding and the regular
work day after such holiday leave.

b.    Regular part-time employees shall receive one-half Holiday bene-
fits in accordance with the regulations for full-time employees in cases