The Board of County Commissioners, upon recommendation of the
department head, Director of Personnel, and County Administrator may
grant an employee an unpaid leave of absence not to exceed 12 calendar
months.
LWOP may be granted at the sole discretion of the employer for
the following reasons:
A. To retain an employee whose accumulated sick, annual, or personal
leave balance, as appropriate, has been exhausted;
B. For educational purposes which shall contribute to the individual's
effectiveness as a County employee;
C. Active-duty military service;
D. Maternity, paternity, or adoption; or
E. Other reasons, personal to an employee.
An employee on LWOP, for a duration such that a paycheck is
missed, is required to pay the full cost (both the employee's and
the County's share) of insurance. The employee must make payment arrangements
in order to continue coverage. If the coverage is dropped, the employee
may not reenroll until the next open enrollment period. In requesting
an unpaid leave of absence, employees are responsible for considering
the impact it may have on retirement benefits. Only certain reasons
for leave and only certain durations of leave are allowable under
various retirement plans. Others may constitute a break in service.
Employees may be required by their retirement plans to apply in advance
for the leave of absence or service credit before taking the leave.
This may also affect the death benefit.