Employee Leave Bank Program
Important information about the new Parental Leave Bank Program for classified employees
Annual enrollment for the 2012 Classified Leave Bank Programs has begun and we wanted to make sure that you’re aware of the new Parental Leave Bank Program that’s being offered to Classified employees this year.
The new Parental Leave Bank Program is modeled after the regular Medical Leave Bank Program that has been operating for some time. Enrollment and eligibility requirements for the two programs are basically the same, except that the regular Medical Leave Bank is for members who have exhausted their paid leave and are on a leave of absence due to their own serious health condition, and the Parental Leave Bank Program is for members who have exhausted their paid leave and are on a leave of absence for parental leave. More information regarding the Parental Leave Bank can be found in Article 17.39 of the 2011 - 2015 Classified Agreement.
Please note that the Parental Leave Bank Program is completely separate from the Medical Leave Bank Program: enrolling for membership in one program does not automatically enroll you in membership for the other. If you want to enroll in both programs you can do that by completing and returning the enrollment form for each program and donating four hours of accrued leave for each of the programs. If enrolling in only one program, please be sure to double check your enrollment form to make sure you’ve selected the correct one.
The annual enrollment period for both Leave Banks is the same – it begins February 1 and ends on March 15.
The PCC Employee Leave Bank Program allows Classified and Academic Professional employees to donate accrued vacation, incentive, or comp hours to other member employees on medical leave who have exhausted their own paid leave.
Eligibility
Classified or Academic Professional Employees, full or part-time, may enroll if they are a member of the bargaining unit, have completed your probationary period, and have at least four hours of accumulated paid leave.
Enrollment
The Open Enrollment period for the Leave Bank begins February 1st and ends March 15th. The Program year begins every April 1st and ends on March 31st. Your enrollment is effective for the duration of the Program Year. Remember, to continue participation, you must complete a new enrollment form each year during this enrollment period. New employees can also enroll within the first 30 days of becoming eligible. Forms:
Donating Hours
You must donate at least four hours of paid leave one time each year; you may not donate sick leave. Academic Professional employees can donate vacation hours; Classified employees can donate vacation, incentive or comp. hours. Hours you donate are not included in your taxable income. If you enroll in the Program, you may not later change your mind and have your donated hours returned.
Benefits
You may request benefits by submitting a Leave Bank Transfer Application to Human Resources. Subject to the Program terms, you will receive benefits in the form of hours of paid leave if you meet all of the following requirements:
- have a severe medical condition that prevents you from working
- have been on an approved medical leave (paid or unpaid) for at least two weeks, you must be on the approved leave of absence before a transfer of Leave Bank hours can be made
- have exhausted all your own paid time off
- have not been disciplined for an absence-related reason for the past 12 months
The maximum number of hours you may receive from the Leave Bank in the twelve month period between April 1 - March 31 is 350 hours. Other restrictions may apply. For example, if you receive paid hours from the Leave Bank and you are later reimbursed for the same hours by an insurance company, workers compensation, Long Term Disability benefits or other source, Program benefits must be repaid to PCC by the employee.
What’s really in it for me? First there’s the knowledge and good feeling that comes from knowing that a small investment of your accrued time will help another person who really needs it. Secondly, although no one wishes it, accidents and illness do happen, and it could be you who really needs the paid time available through this Program.
More Information
More detailed information (PCC District Leave Bank Program Summary) may be requested by contacting Human Resources.