Policies & Procedures Manual

339

Maternity Leave

Maternity leave is covered under the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993 if the employee meets the eligibility qualifications. (Please refer to Policy 721.2, FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT OF 1993.) If the employee does not meet the eligibility requirements for FMLA, maternity leave is utilized as any other sick/annual leave until and unless accumulated benefits are exhausted. At the point sick/annual leave is exhausted, maternity leave will be treated as leave without pay requiring approval by the President with agreement to return to work after a reasonable time. (Please refer to section titled “Leave Without Pay” in this policy)

Military Leave

Military leave with pay is limited by state statute to 15 days per year. Military leave will not affect accumulations of annual/sick leave for twelve-month personnel.

Educational Leave

Professional personnel who have been employed for five years or more by East Central Community College may be given as much as a year’s educational leave under such terms as may be agreed upon at the time for the purpose of improving the employee for service. Educational leave shall be considered on an individual basis.

Full-Time Employee Attendance at Summer School

Full-time instructional or administrative employees on twelve (12) month contracts may be allowed up to six (6) weeks leave of absence with pay to attend summer school to further their education in their fields to meet requirements of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Such employees will be required to enter an agreement with the College to return the following session and fulfill his/her contract with the College or repay such salary received while on leave. Employees applying for such leave will be recommended by the President and approved by the Board of Trustees prior to March 1 of each year. According to Section 25-3-92(2) of the Mississippi Code of 1972, Annotated, the Governor or the head of an institution or appointing authority may grant administrative leave with pay to state employees on a local or statewide basis in the event of extreme weather conditions or in the event of a man-made, technological or natural disaster or emergency. Administrative leave is defined as discretionary leave with pay, other than annual, personal, or sick leave. Administrative leave is not counted against the earned leave credit of employees. Excessive Absences and Tardiness Excessive absences and tardiness, as determined by College Administration, may lead to appropriate disciplinary action up to and including termination from employment. Administrative Leave

(Revised 12/18/07; Revised 10/13/09; Revised 6/8/10; Revised 11/12/13; Reviewed 6/14/16; Revised 4/10/18; Revised 3/20/20; Revised 5/12/20; Revised 08/10/21)