Leaves - Civil Service

General Sick Leave Policies

• Sick leave is not earned during periods of leave when an employee is not in pay status.  While an employee is on a paid sick leave (or vacation leave) they do accrue leave.
• Holidays recognized by the University will not be included in sick leave.
• Sick leave will be transferred within the Southern Illinois University system only.
• All records of annual and extended sick leave benefits shall be maintained by the department fiscal officer with annual reports calculated as of June 30 of each year.  This information shall be kept in the department.

Excessive Use and/or Abuse of Sick Leave

The University may refuse to pay sick leave pay if it is determined that the claim for sick leave is fraudulent based on authorized purposes. Sick leave abuse occurs when an employee uses sick leave for unauthorized purposes or misrepresents the actual reason for charging an absence to sick leave.

Sick leave abuse may also occur when an employee establishes a pattern of sick leave over a period of time, such as:

• the day before or after a holiday
• on a Monday and/or Friday
• after a payday
• any one specific day
• half-day
• continued pattern of maintaining zero or near zero sick leave balances

The University reserves the right to require acceptable evidence of illness, injury, or disability before allowing any sick leave benefits. Employees who misuse sick leave may be subject to the University’s progressive disciplinary process which could lead to suspension or discharge.

Sick Leave Payable Upon Termination

In accordance with Illinois Public Act 83-976, employees who terminate and have a sick leave balance of time accrued and unused from January 1, 1984, until December 31, 1997, shall be paid for one half the balance. This is the only sick leave payable upon termination or retirement.