All faculty accrue Sick Leave based on their paid service to the College (Article 6.6 of the CBA).  Such sick leave can be used in the event of illness or injury.

Faculty are also entitled to use some of their Sick Leave for Personal Necessity Leave (aka “PNL”) within the parameters (Article 6.10).  PNL and Sick Leave come from the same “pot.”  There is a maximum of 6 days of PNL per fiscal year.  PNL will be deducted from the employee’s Sick Leave balance and requires “certification by the faculty member that the absence was due to a situation that qualifies as a personal necessity.” The District can require verification if it suspects abuse. 

PNL may be taken for the following reasons:

• Bereavement for the death of an immediate family member (PNL can be used after bereavement leave has been exhausted). 
• Serious accidents (not related to illness or injury) involving the employee and that require immediate attention. 
• Serious accidents involving a member of the employee’s immediate family, the employee’s property, or the property of a member of the employee’s immediate family. 
• Court-ordered appearances. 
• The birth of a child (when the employee is not the parent giving birth).
• “Imminent danger” to an employee’s home from flood, fire, or other serious threat.
• “Personal necessity of a nature that cannot be transacted outside of assigned
• work hours and where there is no alternative.”

PNL may not

• Exceed the number of full-pay days of sick leave to which the employee is entitled.
• Be granted during a scheduled vacation or a leave of absence.
• Be used for participation in work stoppage or activity contrary to law.
• Involve payment for the employee’s services.

Academic employees with a 40 hour/week assignment may take half-days of PNL.  For all other faculty, half-day absences shall be at the discretion of the supervisor.

Mikage Kuroki, Ph.D.

Vice President and Grievance Officer, Faculty Association