Page 35 - Personnel Policy and Procedures Manual

1. Leave without pay shall be granted only when it will not adversely affect the interests of
Augusta, Georgia service, except as required by law.

2. Leave without pay under this section, in the case of illness, may be granted only after an
employee's accrued Sick Leave, Annual Leave, and Family and Medical Leave have been
exhausted.

3. Failure of an employee to return to work at the expiration of approved leave shall be considered
as absence without leave and grounds for disciplinary action, except when prohibited by law.

4. Any employee who has been granted leave of absence other than FMLA leave and who wishes
to return before the leave period has expired shall be required to give his or her Department
Director at least a one week notice, except when prohibited by law. Upon receipt of such written
notice, the employee shall be permitted to return to work.
5. An employee will not earn Sick Leave or Annual Leave for the time that such employee is on
leave without pay.

6. Except to the extent more is required under FMLA, an employee shall return from leave without
pay to the same salary grade as at the time of commencement of leave.

7. Except to the extent more is required under FMLA, an employee returning from a leave of
absence without pay shall be entitled to employment in the same department in the same or
equivalent class held at the beginning of the leave period.

8. Before beginning a leave of absence without pay, an employee must make arrangements with
the Benefits Coordinator in the Human Resources Department if continued coverage under
Augusta, Georgia group insurance is desired.

9. Any vacancy created by the proper approval of such leave of absence shall not be filled unless
the employee concerned is notified that a permanent replacement for the position is required and
the employee is given the opportunity to resume his or her position. If this requirement is met
and the position filled, the replaced employee shall not have the right or privilege to cause the
separation of the new employee. However, the replaced employee will be considered and given
priority for vacancies that occur, provided he is qualified. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
nothing shall prevent an employee who timely returns from FMLA leave from being restored to
the same or equivalent job and shift with the same or equivalent benefits.

10. No leave without pay may be granted or required for a period exceeding six (6) months, except
as required by law or authorized by the Administrator. Leave without pay cannot be extended
beyond (1) year.

11. Any and all Augusta, Georgia property in the possession of an employee who is placed on a
leave of absence for more than one (1) month shall be immediately returned to the appropriate
department by that employee.

Section 100.033 Absence without Leave (AWOL)

The absence of an employee from duty, including absence for a single day or part of a day, that is not
authorized by a specific grant of leave of absence under the provisions of these regulations shall be deemed
to be an absence without leave (AWOL). Any such absence shall be without pay and may be cause for
further disciplinary action.

All Rights Reserved – As approved by the Commission on 05-07-2019 35 | P a g e