Policy Text
Policy
1004San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/07/23, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentSick Leave - 1Sick Leave
1004.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy provides general guidance regarding the use and processing of sick leave. The accrual
and terms of use of sick leave for eligible employees are detailed in the City personnel manual
or applicable collective bargaining agreement.
This policy is not intended to cover all types of sick or other leaves. For example, employees may
be entitled to additional paid or unpaid leave for certain family and medical reasons as provided
for in the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) (29 USC § 2601 et seq.), the California Family
Rights Act, leave for victims of crime or abuse, or for organ or bone marrow donor procedures (29
CFR 825; Government Code § 12945.2; Government Code § 12945.8; Labor Code § 1510).
1004.2 EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES
Sick leave may be used for absences caused by illness, injury, diagnosis, care or treatment for
existing health conditions, temporary disability (including pregnancy/maternity), or for medical,
dental or vision exams or medical treatment of the employee or the employee's immediate family
when it is not possible to schedule such appointments during non-working hours.
Sick leave is not considered vacation, and abuse of sick leave may result in discipline and/or denial
of sick-leave benefits. Employees on sick leave shall not engage in other employment or self-
employment, or participate in any sport, hobby, recreational or other activity which may impede
recovery from the injury or illness.
Upon return to work, employees shall complete and submit a leave request describing the type of
leave used and the specific amount of time taken.
1004.2.1 NOTIFICATION
Employeesshall notify the Watch Commander or appropriate supervisor as soon as they are aware
that they will not be able to report to work. Non-shift employees shall notify their supervisor or
the Watch Commander in the event their supervisor is not available. At a minimum, employees
shall make such notification no less than two hours before the start of their scheduled shift. If an
employee is unable to contact the supervisor in the case of an emergency, every effort should be
made to have a representative contact the supervisor.
Employees shall make notification by calling the Watch Commander or appropriate supervisor. In
the event the employee is unable to reach the Watch Commander or supervisor, the employee
shall call dispatch and ask to be transferred to the Watch Commander. Employees shall not make
notification through email or text messages.
When the necessity for leave is foreseeable, such as an expected birth or planned medical
treatment, the employee shall, whenever possible, provide the Department with no less than 30-
days notice of the intent to take leave.
San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Sick Leave
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/07/23, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentSick Leave - 21004.3 EXTENDED ILLNESS
Employees absent from duty due to personal illness or injury in excess of five consecutive working
days shall produce written proof of illness from an authorized medical authority supporting the use
of sick leave and/or the ability to return to work. Such proof may be required for periods of less
than five consecutive working days where there exists indication of abuse.
Employees on extended absences shall, if possible, contact their unit supervisor at three-day
intervals to provide an update on their absence and expected date of return.
1004.4 EXTENDED ABSENCE
Members absent from duty for more than three consecutive days may be required to furnish a
statement from a health care provider supporting the need to be absent and/or the ability to return
to work. Members on an extended absence shall, if possible, contact their supervisor at specified
intervals to provide an update on their absence and expected date of return.
Nothing in this section precludes a supervisor from requiring, with cause, a health care provider’s
statement for an absence of three or fewer days after the first three days of paid sick leave are
used in a 12-month period.
1004.5 SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES
The responsibilities of supervisors include, but are not limited to:
(a)Monitoring and regularly reviewing the attendance of those under their command to
ensure that the use of sick leave and absences is consistent with this policy.
(b)Attempting to determine whether an absence of four or more days may qualify as
family medical leave and consulting with legal counsel or the Department of Human
Resources as appropriate.
(c)Addressing absences and sick leave use in the member’s performance evaluation
when excessive or unusual use has:
1.Negatively affected the member’s performance or ability to complete assigned
duties.
2.Negatively affected department operations.
(d)When appropriate, counseling members regarding excessive absences and/or
inappropriate use of sick leave.
(e)Referring eligible members to an available employee assistance program when
appropriate.
1004.6 REQUIRED NOTICES
The Human Resources Director shall ensure:
(a)Written notice of the amount of paid sick leave available is provided to employees as
provided in Labor Code § 246.
San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Sick Leave
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/07/23, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentSick Leave - 3(b)