A leave of absence is any authorized absence from work for medical, military or personal reasons. It is the County’s policy to comply with all applicable laws that afford protection rights to employees who need family, medical and military leave, including the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA).
SJC Compassionate Leave
Compassionate hours are a means to offset financial challenges in the event County employees exhaust their own leave balances due to acute illness, accident, or injury to self or to serve as the primary caregiver to an immediate family member. Approval for use of compassionate hours is at the discretion of the County Administrator. For more information: Compassionate Leave
Family Medical Leave Act
FMLA requires the County as a covered employer to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave with continuation of insurance coverage during leave to eligible employees for specified family and medical reasons. Eligible employees may also care for a service member while they suffer from a serious injury or illness for up to 26 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave. For more information: Family and Medical Leave
Military Leave
Florida Statutes and USERRA requires the County as a covered employer to afford protection rights to employees serving duty with the military, the Reserve and National Guard. Employees who require time off work to fulfill military obligations shall be entitled to eligible pay with continuation of insurance coverage during the period in which the employee is engaged in annual field training, coast defense exercise, or other active duty or training exercises or who is ordered by the Selective Service Board to appear for an examination for induction into the military service. For more information: Military Leave
SJC Sick Leave Pool
Full time County employees who have completed 1 continuous year of employment with the Board of County Commissioners may elect to participate in a Sick Leave Pool to have access to a source of additional sick leave when their accrued sick and vacation leave hours are exhausted. Sick Leave Pool hours may only be used in cases of illness, accident, or injury to self. For more information: Sick Leave Pool
Employees may Request Leave of Absence (LOA) for Family/Medical or Military Service Reasons or Fire Rescue Only for qualifying family/medical or military service reasons through the County’s electronic timekeeping system or by contacting the Benefits Team.