Previous Story
House amends gov’t regs on sick leave
|
Posted on Nov 09 2000
After incorporating recommendations from other lawmakers, the House of Representatives yesterday approved legislation amending regulations of the Sick Leave Bank for government personnel.
If it becomes to law, HB 12-147 will grant unlimited hours of paid sick leave to employees who are stricken with life-threatening illnesses such as cancer.
The measure is intended to provide a means to the sick employee to earn income while to recuperate, according to its main sponsor Health and Welfare Committee chair Rep. Malua T. Peter
Originally, it was seeking only up to 320 hours that an employee can take from the Sick Leave Bank, but House members agreed to ease restriction to allow for fully recovery.
The legislation, which was passed last month in the lower house on first reading only due to concerns on major provisions, now heads to the Senate for action.
In a report prepared by House Committee on Judicial and Government Operations, a more realistic policy and sensitivity was needed in the administration of the Sick Leave Bank as provided under PL 8-25.
Lawmakers found out that employees who have yet to fully recover from serious illnesses are denied the use of additional sick leave hours because of the limitations under civil service regulations.
“Hence, the employee is forced to prematurely return to work and is left to suffer the negative consequences of returning to work while still recuperating from his or her illness or disability,” the report stated.
Oftentimes, if they decide not to return to work, they are placed on “leave without pay” status depriving the employee income that usually leads to mounting debt, it added.
“[T]he stress from the illness… coupled with the stress of not having any financial support during [such] status could further prevent the afflicted employee from fully recovering… and could possibly lead to further deterioration of the individual’s mental or health status,” the report said.
Under HB 12-147, an employee with doctor-certified illness can withdraw from the Sick Leave Bank from hours donated by other eligible employees and may choose to repay that hours. (BS)
