Sick Leave Pool Process

Process

An employee is eligible to apply for sick leave pool hours when all of the following conditions are satisfied:

• The employee or a member of his or her immediately family has a severe condition or combination of conditions, as defined in this policy, that requires the prolonged care of a licensed practitioner;
• The employee has exhausted all sick leave because of the condition;
• The employee has exhausted all paid leave time including compensatory time;
• The employee has NOT exhausted the maximum amount of sick leave pool allowed per catastrophic illness or injury; and
• The employee’s condition is not an on-the-job injury covered by Workers’ Compensation Insurance.

Steps to follow:

1. An employee can request hours from the pool by submitting an application to Human Resources at least 2 weeks before the hours are needed or as soon as possible after the need arises. A written statement from a licensed practitioner that contains sufficient information regarding the illness or injury to enable the pool administrator to evaluate the employee’s eligibility should be included in the application. Completed forms can be faxed to (956) 882-3803.
2. The Sick Leave Pool Administrator will approve or deny an application within 10 working days after receipt of the completed application unless unusual circumstances require more time.
3. Upon approval of an application, the Sick Leave Pool Administrator will credit the employee with sick leave pool hours and will notify the employee and the supervisor of the employee of the amount of hours granted from the pool.
4. The amount of sick leave pool hours awarded to the employee by the Sick Leave Pool Administrator cannot exceed the 720 hour maximum per catastrophic illness or injury.