Each month, our Advocacy Committee answers your questions about the AD 10 polices (aka, your terms and conditions of employment.)
Here is the Advocacy Committee Chair, Wanda Dekleva, to answer some of your questions about workplace issues.
Questions? Submit them anonymously here. This question will be answered in a monthly advocacy corner issue. For an immediate answer, please contact APSA.
I have a staff member who had a series of unfortunate events this year and used five days of compassionate leave earlier in the year. The staff member now needs additional time off. What are my options? Is there anything I can do to help?
The policy for compassionate leave (AD 10.08, article 6.01) states that staff can take five days of compassionate leave per-incident or scenario at the discretion of the supervisor. A supervisor can also grant up to two days as personal leave in the case of an emergency. These policies also apply to temporary APSA members. I would encourage you to discuss this with HR as well, so they are aware that you've granted the employee this leave.
I would like to know if people can move their flex day to another day while they are on sick leave?
As a Variable Scheduled Work Week is an agreement made by you and your supervisor, you must speak to your supervisor and make the appropriate arrangements. When applying for a Variable Scheduled Work Week, the proposal should include terms for work schedules, coverage, vacations, holidays etc. That way, you have a clear direction of what happens while on sick leave.
I have a medical appointment during the workday. Does this count as sick leave, or do I have to make up for the missed hours?
You often must schedule medical appointments during work hours, so this a common scenario. There is no specific AD 10 policy that determines if medical leave counts as sick leave or missed hours of work, so you need to discuss this with your supervisor. To avoid confusion in the future, I would speak to your supervisor before you need to schedule the appointment.
You can always contact APSA to discuss your situation. Talking to APSA is 100% confidential.
Need an APSA advocate? Contact us at 778-782-4319.