Sheriff's Policy Manual: Unfit for Duty

Unfit for Duty/Reporting Illness, Leave, or Breaks

• Employees not covered by a collective bargaining agreement must follow the procedures outlined in the policy manual.
• Employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement must follow the procedures outlined in their respective bargaining agreement, unless the agreement does not address a procedure, in which case the policy manual procedures will be followed.

Unfit for Duty

• Employees found unfit for duty or improperly attired or equipped may be relieved from duty by their district/division commander or equivalent supervisor.
• Any loss of time will be deducted from the employee's salary, and disciplinary action may be initiated if applicable.

Reporting Illness

• Employees unable to report for duty due to illness must notify their supervisor or other competent authority at least one hour before their scheduled reporting time.
• Fire Rescue and Emergency Services employees will continue to follow current notification protocol established by their department.
• Employees will not be penalized for failing to provide one hour's notice unless a pattern is established.
• Ill or injured employees on sick leave must remain at home during their regularly scheduled duty hours, except for viable medical reasons, voting, attending religious establishments, or at their supervisor's discretion.

Sick Leave Abuse

• If sick leave abuse is suspected or excessive sick leave use occurs, district/division commanders may require employees to provide a physician's note for the period of the absence.
• Any medical consultation for an employee's illness is at the employee's expense.
• District/division commanders may not ask specific questions or request documentation regarding the employee's (or family member's) health.

Misrepresentation of Illness or Injury

• Employees are prohibited from pretending illness or injury, falsely reporting themselves ill or injured, or otherwise deceiving or attempting to deceive a supervisor as to their health.

Absent Without Leave

• Employees will be considered absent without leave if they are not present for work and no leave was granted.

Meal/Break Procedure

• Employees are entitled to one 30-minute meal break per eight-hour shift and one 15-minute break for each four hours worked.
• Employees are authorized two 15-minute breaks, which must not be taken consecutively or in conjunction with a 30-minute meal/break unless authorized by their immediate supervisor.
• Meal breaks do not represent compensable time, except as specified in the policy manual and applicable bargaining unit agreements.
• Employees will continue to receive pay for 40 hours of work per regularly scheduled work week.
• Employees will be given time for meals and breaks at the discretion of their immediate supervisor and consistent with applicable bargaining unit agreements.