information for the community

CATASTROPHIC SICK LEAVE BANK

 

What Is The NEISD Catastrophic Sick Leave Bank?

The NEISD Sick Leave Bank is a voluntary employee benefit program developed to provide additional leave up to 45 days to members who have suffered a catastrophic illness or injury.

Open Enrollment
Employees may join the Sick Leave Bank during the open enrollment period or, if a new employee, during the first thirty-one (31) days of employment. 

Who Is Eligible?

  • The member uses one or more days from the Bank during the year;
  • The Bank falls below one time (1X) the number of members, then
     members must contribute 1-2 days for the current
  • A member decides to cancel his/her membership in the Bank; or
  • A  member terminates employment with the District.

Qualifying For Sick Leave Bank Days
A member may request days from the Sick Leave Bank only after he/she has exhausted all accumulated state and local leave days.  Sick Leave Bank days can be granted only for absences for working days and will not be granted for holidays, vacation days, or other such days for which the member is not paid.

Days from the Bank are granted only for catastrophic illness or injury that necessitates an absence for five consecutive days or longer.  A member who suffers a catastrophic illness or injury may apply for an initial thirty (30) days from the Bank.  If the employee is unable to return to work after the initial thirty (30) days are exhausted, he/she may reapply for up to fifteen (15) additional days.

The Bank may be used for members whose immediate family has suffered a catastrophic illness or injury. Immediate family is defined as the member´s parent(s), spouse and any eligible children.  The maximum number of days that may be granted to an employee is fifteen (15) days per illness/ijury..

The maximum number of Sick Leave Bank days that may be granted to an employee during the year  (August 1 through July 31) is forty-five (45) days.

 

What Is Considered Catastrophic?
An illness or injury that is serious in nature and necessitates an absence from work for five (5) consecutive days.  Determination of catastrophic is based upon the physician's statement with diagnosis, the patient's age, and any complications.  A few examples of conditions that could be considered catastrophic are:

        • Cancer with chemotherapy treatment 
  • Organ transplant 
  • Major surgery-that requires an inpatient Hospital stay*
  • Multiple Trauma-severe injuries due to a vehicle accident 
  • Chronic conditions-Cystic Fibrosis, Cerebral Palsy, Spinal Bifida, Muscular Dystrophy and TB
  • High Risk Pregnancy-as per Physician's Statement
  • Serious Mental Illness

*Hospital verificatin required.

When an employee has suffered a catastrophic illness or injury, the member may submit to the Employee Benefits Specialist a request for days from the Bank. This request will include the Application for Sick Leave Bank Days and the NEISD Sick Leave Bank Physician's Statement which can be obtained from the Risk Management Office or by downloading the forms from the NEISD Intranet web site.

Applications will be processed by the Employee Benefits Specialist/Sick Leave Bank Executive Officer, in accordance with the Sick Leave Bank Handbook.

Bereavement Days
The Sick Leave Bank will grant up to three days for bereavement due to the death of a member´s spouse, child, parent, or parent-in-law.  The employee must contribute the days granted by the Sick Leave Bank at the beginning of the following school year to retain their membership.

Sick Leave Bank Board of Directors
The Sick Leave Bank is governed by a Board of Directors, elected by the members and representing all employee groups.  The purpose of the Board of Directors is to audit Sick Leave Bank usage and to hear all appeals regarding the Sick Leave Bank.

Previous year plan changes:

2005-2006 Plan Year Changes

  • Changing the Sick Leave Bank name to Catastrophic Sick Leave Bank
  • Include Parent in-laws for granting of bereavement days

2004-2005 Plan Year Changes

  • Catastrophic guidelins clearly defined by making available to all members, a list of catastrophic illnesses/ injuries. Alist of diagnosis and conditions including criteria used will be included in the NEISD Sick Leave Bank Regulations.

2003-2004 Plan Year Changes

  • Catastrophic guidelines are raised and more clearly defined by adding a list of catastrophic
    illnesses/injuries to the Sick Leave Bank regulations.
  • Members released to return to work on a part-time or modified duty basis will no longer
    receive partial days from the Bank.
  • New employees have the first 31 calendar days of employment to join the Bank.
  • New members may only receive days from the Bank after they have worked enough days
    to earn their membership.
  • If the Bank falls below one time (1X) the number of members, current members will give
    an additional 1-2 days, depending upon the need, to replenish the Bank. Members who do
    not wish to contribute the additional day(s) may forfeit membership upon written
    notification to the Risk Management Office.
  • The Preexisting condition exclusion is increased from 90 days to the first six months of
    membership.
  • Exclusions now include normal pregnancy and/or post-natal care; elective or routine
    surgery; outpatient procedures; mental disability that is not considered as "serious
    mental illness" as defined by Texas law; workers' compensation income eligibility;
    and part-time absences or modified duty.