Absence Management for Supervisors Sponsored by Governors Office

Absence Management for Supervisors Sponsored by: Governor’s Office of Administration Bureau of Employee Benefits and Services

Welcome and Introduction

Course Learning Objectives To provide a basic understanding of… § Absence Management § A Supervisor’s Role § FMLA Absences § Commonwealth Absence Provisions § SPF Absence Responsibilities § Who to Contact for Assistance

Course Layout Module 1: 2: 3: 4: Absence Management Basics Focus on a Supervisor’s Role FMLA Qualifying Absences Application of SPF Absence

Module 1: Absence Management Basics

Absence Management Defined The dual responsibility of both the employee and supervisor to ensure absences are managed within an employee’s leave balance quotas and entitlements and the commonwealth’s absence provisions while maintaining operational efficiency.

Why is Absence Management important to you and your employees?

Importance of Absence Management • Promotes positive office morale through fair and equal treatment of employees • Reduces the need for overtime work • Increases the efficiency of your operations and makes your job easier

Roles and Responsibilities • Employee • Supervisor • Human Resource Office staff

Employee Responsibilities • Manage leave within absence quota balance limits • Request absences in advance, whenever possible • Schedule absences at times least disruptive to operations whenever possible • Obtain/provide supporting absence documentation as required • Adhere to established call-off procedures and attendance work rules • Request to use leave in accordance with established policies and procedures

How should employees learn about their responsibilities?

Supervisor Responsibilities • • • Maintain efficient operations Apply the call-off policy consistently Have an understanding of absence types Ensure leave is entered for all absences Timely approve or deny leave requests Monitor absences and counsel employees about leave usage as needed • Administer discipline as necessary

Human Resource Responsibilities Time Advisors, SPF Coordinators, and Labor Relations Coordinators within the Human Resource Office are responsible for: § Providing guidance to employees and supervisors § Administering absence policy § Ensuring correct processing in SAP

Summary of Module 1: Absence Management Basics • The employee, supervisor and Human Resource staff all have roles and responsibilities for effective absence management. • The supervisor has a responsibility to assist in educating employees about absence policy and procedures and administer discipline as necessary.

Course Progress ü Module • Module 1: 2: 3: 4: Absence Management Basics Focus on a Supervisor’s Role FMLA Qualifying Absences Application of SPF Absence

Module 2: Focus on a Supervisor’s Role

Focus on a Supervisor’s Role We will look at your role in … • • Adhering to a call-off policy Understanding absence types Timely approving/rejecting leave requests Counseling employees

Adhering to the Call-off Policy • Every organization needs one • Must be standard and consistent • May be different between organizations based on work performed • Consult with the Human Resource Office when developing procedures

Understanding Absences Types • • Paid absences with accrued anticipated leave Paid absences for other qualifying reasons Unpaid absence Extraordinary absences

Exercise What type of leave would you approve for…

What should you consider before approving a leave request?

Timely Approving/Rejecting Requests • Employees must request approval of all absences • Absence requests should be made in advance whenever possible • Emergency requests should be carefully considered for approval/disapproval in accordance with worksite priorities • Each request should be reviewed on its own merits • Criteria used in review should be applied consistently for all employees • Know the time frame for approving absences in accordance with the union contract

Consider this scenario… Assume operations would not allow leave to be approved, but Mary calls to tell you that her son called her on her way to work to let her know that he missed the bus. You know Mary’s son will be home all day alone if she doesn’t take him to school.

Timely Approving/Rejecting Requests Unsure it should be approved? • After learning the reason for a leave request or call-off, verify whether the absence should be approved • For a call-off, it is appropriate to ask for a telephone number to call the employee back if you feel you need to consult with others prior to approval/disapproval

Timely Approving/Rejecting Requests Can absences be disapproved? • DON’T BE AFRAID TO SAY NO!! • Supervisors control approval of Annual and Personal Leave, based on operational needs • Employees must be notified of disapproval and consequences Note: Supervisors may want to discuss issues with Labor Relations staff before denying leave.

Timely Approve/Reject Requests How is a call-off disapproved? You are needed at work because… [project needs to be completed, another employee is scheduled to be off today, etc. OR you have no absence quota available to use]… Therefore, I am disapproving your request to be absent, and this is a direct order to report to work. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action. Note: Before using this script consult Labor Relations staff.

Call-Off Role Play Which response denies a leave request in a call-off situation…

Counseling Employees Counsel as soon as a concern is obvious and After the counseling, follow-up as appropriate • Consult with Labor Relations • Review absence records on a regular basis/after each call off • Approve or reject reasons for absence • Record absences as AWOL if not approved • Discipline as required

When in Doubt… Call the Human Resource Office

Why is it important to ensure all employees receive absence management education?

Summary of Module 2: Focus on Supervisor’s Role • Supervisors must adhere to call off policies, timely approve/deny absence requests and counsel employees as needed. • Employees should be reminded of absence policies and procedures annually.

Course Progress ü Module • Module 1: 2: 3: 4: Absence Management Basics Focus on a Supervisor’s Role FMLA Qualifying Absences Application of SPF Absence

Module 3: FMLA Qualifying Absences

Overview of FMLA The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requires qualifying employers to provide leave to employees for specific reasons if the employee was employed at least one year and worked at least 1, 250 hours during the previous 12 month period.

Overview of FMLA • The leave may be paid or unpaid • Benefits are continued • Employees must be offered a right to return

Qualifying Reasons for FMLA Up to 12 weeks within a 12 -month period for… • Serious health condition of an employee • Serious health condition of a qualifying family member when the employee is attending to the medical needs of the family member • Birth, adoption or foster care placement of a child • Qualifying exigency when a qualifying family member is called to active military duty

Qualifying Reasons for FMLA (continued) Up to 26 weeks in a 12 -month period for… • Serious illness or injury of a qualifying family member or next of kin who is a military service member

What occurs if we violate an employee’s rights under FMLA?

Commonwealth Entitlement SPF in a • • Absence provides up to 6 months of leave rolling year for… Serious health condition of an employee Serious health condition of a qualifying family member when the employee is attending to the medical needs of the family member • Birth, adoption or foster care placement of a child Note: 6 months is 982. 5/1048 hours; prorated for part-time employees

Commonwealth Entitlement Military Exigency Absence provides up to 12 weeks of leave within a rolling year for… • A qualifying exigency when qualifying family member is called to active military duty Military Caregiver Absence provides up to 26 weeks of leave within a single 12 months for… • A serious illness or injury of a qualifying family member or next of kin who is a military service member Note: 12 weeks is 450/480 hours and 6 months is 982. 5/1048 hours; prorated for part-time employees

Eligibility Requirements SPF, Military Exigency and Military Caregiver Absence eligibility • One year of employment (includes all periods of employment) • Worked 1250 hours in the 12 -month period preceding the first absence ~Hours include: regular and overtime hours worked and paid or unpaid military absences ~Hours do not include: paid absences, unpaid absences and holidays

Eligibility Requirements • An employee’s eligibility is measured for each new event (each new or different reason for using SPF, Military Exigency or Military Caregiver Absence). • Employees remain eligible for each event for one year, at which time eligibility is re-measured.

Intermittent/Reduced-time Absences SPF Absence § Available only during the first 12 weeks of the 6 month entitlement in a rolling year. § 12 weeks is 450/480 hours; prorated for parttime employees Military Exigency and Military Caregiver Absence § Available for the entire entitlements

Use of Paid Leave • All applicable accrued paid sick leave is required to be used • Accrued annual, personal, holiday and compensatory leave may be used • Anticipated annual, personal and sick leave may be used in accordance with anticipation policies • All forms of paid leave, if required or chosen to be used, must be taken before unpaid SPF Absence and paid absences reduce the 6 -month entitlement

ESPF Absence • Not FMLA leave • Leave is without benefits • Limited return rights • Must be contiguous to the expiration of SPF Absence • May be used by employees with less then one year employment since last date of hire for absences of two consecutive weeks or longer, but only permitted once within a 12 -month period

ESPF Absence (Extended Sick, Parental and Family Care) provides up to 6 months of leave for… • Serious health condition of an employee • Serious health condition of a qualifying family member when the employee is attending to the medical needs of the family member • Birth, adoption or foster care placement of a child

Summary of Module 3: FMLA Qualifying Absences • SPF Absences are generally covered by the FMLA and are sometimes referred to as FMLA leave. • There are eligibility requirements and entitlements associated with SPF, Military Exigency, Military Caregiver and ESPF Absences. • Communication among the employee, supervisor, and the SPF Coordinator regarding SPF absences is essential.

Course Progress ü Module • Module 1: 2: 3: 4: Absence Management Basics Focus on a Supervisor’s Role FMLA Qualifying Absences Application of SPF Absence

Module 4: Application of SPF Absence

Exercise What do I need to know?

IMPORTANT!!! Communication among the employee, supervisor, and SPF Coordinator regarding SPF absences is essential. All information shared and provided must be kept confidential.

Employee Responsibilities • Notify the supervisor of the need to use SPF Absence at least two weeks in advance, if possible • Upon request, provide completed forms in a timely manner • Follow call-off notification policy • Manage absences to avoid needing to use any unpaid absence.

Supervisor Responsibilities • Obtain general knowledge of SPF/FMLA policies and procedures • Communicate with employees to determine whether an absence qualifies as an SPF absence • Before allowing an employee to return to work, ensure they have been released to return to work based on the Designation Notice or other release from the health care provider • Consult with the SPF Coordinator

SPF Coordinator Responsibilities • • • Determine SPF absence eligibility and entitlement Monitor SPF absences and entitlements Review medical documentation Approve/disapprove SPF absences Prepare notifications to employees and provide copies to supervisors • Answer questions from employees and supervisors

What are some “triggers” that absences may qualify as SPF Absence?

Identifying SPF Absences Simply ask, “Do you or a family member have a serious health condition? ” • Ask in a private place, possibly in a “counseling” setting • Share the Notice to Employees • Notify the SPF Coordinator of the discussion, if you believe the absence could qualify as SPF Absence

SPF Absence Approval Process • Employee requests leave • Supervisor cannot approve or deny absences, but can add comments that are viewable only by the SPF Coordinator • The SPF Coordinator will review the leave request and approve or disapprove the SPF Absence based on the medical information provided • Supervisors receive a copy of the designation or disapproval notice so they know what leave requests should be approved as SPF Absence

SPF Absence Approval Process For call-offs, you may ask for the reason… Q-You have an approved SPF Absence; is the reason for the absence due to the approved SPF Absence? A-Yes or No is the only reply needed, except if there is more than one approved SPF Absence reason, in which case you must ask to which condition number the absence applies.

Supervisor Resources in ESS • View employees SPF eligibility and entitlement • View SPF Absences linked to the event

Return to Work/Rights • Employees have the right to return to the same or equivalent job during SPF Absence • Employees should notify you of their return to work 24 hours in advance • If the designation notice does not cover the entire period of absence, an updated Serious Health Condition Certification form or other type of release to return to work from the health care provider is required

What might constitute possible inappropriate use?

Questionable Absences In the event you suspect possible inappropriate use… • Consult the SPF Coordinator • Likely, you will be advised to have a counseling session or investigatory interview or predisciplinary conference with the employee

SPF/ESPF Impact on Other Policies SPF/ESPF Absences can impact other Human Resource policies

Summary of Module 4: Application of SPF Absences • Be aware of SPF Absence “triggers”. • Communication and consultation with the SPF Coordinator is essential. • Notify the SPF Coordinator when an employee begins or returns from leave. • Ensure a medical release is provided as appropriate. • SPF Absences impact other Human Resource policies.

SPF Absence Resources • SPF Coordinator • Website for employees, www. spf. state. pa. us • Website for supervisors, www. spfsupervisors. state. pa. us

The End Governor’s Office of Administration Bureau of Employee Benefits and Services