CHAPTER 63LEAVE[Prior to 11/5/86, Merit Employment Department[570]][Prior to 1/7/04, see 581—Ch 14]11—63.1(8A)  Attendance.  Appointing authorities shall establish the working schedules, regulations, and required hours of work for employees under their direction. All regulations and schedules shall be made known to the affected employees by appointing authorities. All absences of probationary and permanent employees shall be charged to one of the leave categories provided for in this chapter.11—63.2(8A)  Vacation leave.    63.2(1)  Nontemporary employees shall earn vacation for continuous state employment as follows:  a.  Two unscheduled holidays to be added to the vacation accrual each year.  b.  Two weeks of vacation during the first and through the fourth year of employment.  c.  Three weeks of vacation during the fifth and through the eleventh year of employment.  d.  Four weeks of vacation during the twelfth year and through the nineteenth year of employment.  e.  Four and four-tenths weeks of vacation during the twentieth year and through the twenty-fourth year of employment.  f.  Five weeks of vacation during the twenty-fifth and all subsequent years of employment.  63.2(2)  Vacation is subject to the following conditions:  a.  Vacation shall be subject to the approval of the appointing authority. The appointing authority shall approve vacation so as to maintain the efficient operation of the agency; take into consideration the vacation preferences and needs of the employee; and make every reasonable effort to provide vacation to prevent any loss of vacation accrual.  b.  Probationary and permanent part-time employees shall accrue vacation in an amount proportionate to that which would be accrued under full-time employment.  c.  Vacation shall not accrue during any absence without pay.  d.  An employee who is transferred, promoted, or demoted from one state agency to another shall be credited with the vacation accrued.  e.  Employees, including employees who are paid from a pay plan having annual salary rates, who leave state employment for any reason shall be paid, or have payment made according to law, for all accrued vacation. Payment shall be included with the employee’s final paycheck and shall be based on the employee’s total biweekly regular rate of pay at the time of separation. When other pay is to be included in the calculation, that other pay must have been in effect for at least three pay periods. Vacation shall not be granted after the employee’s last day of work.  f.  An employee may, at the appointing authority’s discretion, be required to use all accrued vacation before being granted any leave without pay, except as otherwise provided in these rules.  g.  Vacation shall be charged on the employee’s workday basis. Officially designated holidays occurring during an employee’s vacation shall not be counted against the employee’s accrued vacation.  h.  In the event of an illness or disability while on vacation, that portion of the vacation spent under the care of a physician or physician assistant shall be switched retroactively to and charged against the employee’s accrued sick leave upon satisfactory proof from the physician or physician assistant of the illness or disability and its duration.  i.  Vacation shall not be used in excess of the amount accrued, and shall not be used until the pay period after it is accrued.  j.  Vacation shall be cumulative to a maximum of twice the employee’s annual rate of accrual, including sick leave conversion. An appointing authority may require an employee to take vacation whenever it would be in the best interests of the agency. The employee shall be given reasonable notice of the appointing authority’s decision to require the use of accrued vacation. However, an employee shall not be required to reduce accrued vacation to less than 80 hours.  k.  One week of vacation shall be equal to the number of hours in the employee’s normal, regular workweek.  l.  Any employee who is laid off, or an employee who separated due to qualification for long-term disability benefits or an on-the-job injury or illness and subsequently returns to state employment within two years following the date of separation, shall have previous continuous service and the period of separation counted toward the vacation accrual rate.  m.  Reserved.  n.  Time spent in military service, within the specified time limits of the military training and service Act, shall be considered continuous service for the purpose of computing vacation accrual, provided the employee returns to state service within 90 calendar days following discharge from military duty. Vacation shall not accrue to an employee while on military leave without pay.  o.  If on June 1 an employee has a balance of 160 or more hours of accrued leave, the employer may, with the approval of the employee, pay the employee for up to 40 hours of the accrued annual leave. This amount will be paid on the payday which represents the last pay period of the fiscal year. Decisions regarding these payments will be made by each department director and are not subject to the grievance procedure provided for in these rules. Related ARC(s): 3215C, 6866C11—63.3(8A)  Sick leave with pay.  Probationary and permanent full-time employees, except peace officer employees of the department of natural resources and the department of public safety, shall accrue sick leave as set forth in this paragraph. If the employee’s accrued sick leave balance is 750 hours or less, the employee shall accrue one and one-half days of sick leave per month, which is 5.538462 hours per pay period. If the employee’s accrued sick leave balance is 1500 hours or less but more than 750 hours, the employee shall accrue one day of sick leave per month, which is 3.692308 hours per pay period. If the employee’s accrued sick leave balance is more than 1500 hours, the employee shall accrue one-half day of sick leave per month, which is 1.846154 hours per pay period. Peace officer employees of the department of natural resources and department of public safety shall accrue sick leave at the same rate as the rate provided under the State Police Officers Council collective bargaining agreement. The use of sick leave with pay shall be subject to the following conditions:  63.3(1)  Accrued sick leave may be used during a period when an employee is unable to work because of medically related disabilities; for physical or mental illness; medical, dental or optical examination, surgery or treatment; or when performance of assigned duties would jeopardize the employee’s health or recovery. Medically related disabilities caused by pregnancy or recovery from childbirth shall be covered by sick leave.  63.3(2)  Sick leave shall not be used as vacation.  63.3(3)  Sick leave shall not be granted in excess of the amount accrued.  63.3(4)  There is no limit on the accumulation of sick leave. An employee who has accrued at least 240 hours of sick leave may elect to accrue additional vacation in lieu of the normal sick leave accrual. An employee who has made an election to convert sick leave to vacation will be credited with four hours of vacation for each full month when sick leave is not used during that month. A conversion shall not be made if the accrued sick leave is less than 240 hours in the pay period in which the conversion would be made. The conversion of sick leave shall be prorated for employees who are normally scheduled to work less than full-time (40 hours per week). An employee’s maximum vacation accrual may be increased under this subrule up to 96 hours.  63.3(5)  In all cases when an employee has been absent on sick leave, the employee shall immediately upon return to work submit a statement that the absence was due to illness or other reasons stated in this rule. Where absence exceeds three working days, the reasons for the absence shall be verified by a physician or other authorized practitioner if required by the appointing authority. An appointing authority may require verification for lesser periods of absence and at any time during an absence. In all cases, sick leave shall not be deducted from that accrued until authorized by the appointing authority.  63.3(6)  Sick leave shall be charged on the employee’s workday basis. Officially designated holidays occurring during an employee’s sick leave shall not be counted against the employee’s accrued sick leave.  63.3(7)  Sick leave shall not accrue during any absence without pay.  63.3(8)  Probationary and permanent part-time employees shall accrue sick leave in an amount proportionate to that which would be accrued under full-time employment.  63.3(9)  An employee who is transferred, promoted, or demoted from one agency to another shall be credited with the sick leave accrued.  63.3(10)  All accrued sick leave shall be canceled on the date of separation, and no employee shall be reimbursed for accrued sick leave unused at the time of separation except as provided for in Iowa Code section 70A.23, or the applicable collective bargaining agreement. However, if an employee is laid off and is reemployed by any state agency within two years following the date of layoff, or an employee is separated due to an on-the-job injury or illness and is reemployed by any state agency within two years following the date of medical release, the employee’s unused accrued sick leave shall be restored, except to the extent that the sick leave hours have been credited to a sick leave bank pursuant to Iowa Code section 70A.23 and the provisions of 11—64.16(8A). Employees participating in the sick leave insurance program who return to permanent employment will not have prior sick leave amounts restored.  63.3(11)  Employees may also use accrued sick leave, not to exceed a total of 40 hours per fiscal year, for the following purposes:  a.  When a death occurs in the immediate family;  b.  For the temporary care of, or necessary attention to, members of the immediate family.For purposes of this subrule, “immediate family” means the employee’s spouse, children, grandchildren, foster children, stepchildren, legal wards, parents, grandparents, foster parents, stepparents, brothers, foster brothers, stepbrothers, sons-in-law, brothers-in-law, sisters, foster sisters, stepsisters, daughters-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, first cousins, corresponding relatives of the employee’s spouse and other persons who are members of the employee’s household.This leave shall be granted at the convenience of the employee whenever possible and consistent with the staffing needs of the appointing authority.  63.3(12)  If an absence because of illness, injury or other proper reason for using sick leave provided for in this rule extends beyond the employee’s accrued sick leave, the appointing authority may require or permit additional time off to be charged to any other accrued leave. Employees shall, upon request, be paid accrued compensatory leave in a lump sum. When all accrued sick leave has been used, the employee may be granted leave without pay or terminated except as provided in subrule 63.5(4).Related ARC(s): 8265B, 0401C, 1568C11—63.4(8A)  Family and Medical Leave Act leave.  An employee who has been employed for a cumulative total of 12 months or more in the most recent seven-year period and who has worked at least 1,250 hours during the 12-month period immediately preceding the date leave is to begin shall be eligible for family and medical leave in accordance with the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and 29 CFR Part 825, these rules, and the policies of the department. Eligibility determinations shall be made as of the date that the FMLA leave is to begin. The FMLA leave year begins on the first day of each fiscal year. Eligible employees are entitled to FMLA leave subject to the following conditions:  63.4(1)  It is the appointing authority’s responsibility to designate leave as FMLA leave. The appointing authority shall designate leave as FMLA leave when the leave qualifies for FMLA leave, even if the employee makes no request for FMLA leave or does not want the leave to be counted as FMLA leave. When both spouses are employed by the state, they shall be limited to a combined total of 12 weeks of FMLA leave taken in accordance with paragraph “a” or “c” below. The hourly equivalent for part-time employees shall be prorated based upon the average number of hours worked during the previous 12 months. Leave may be for one or more of the following reasons:  a.  The birth or placement with the employee of a son or daughter (biological child, adopted child, foster child, stepchild, legal ward or a child to whom the employee stands in loco parentis) for adoption or foster care provided the leave is taken within 12 months following any such birth, adoption or foster placement;  b.  The care of a son or daughter under 18 years of age, or older if incapable of self-care because of a mental or physical disability, or spouse with a serious health condition;  c.  The care of a parent or person who stood in loco parentis to the employee, with a serious health condition;  d.  A serious health condition that makes an employee unable to work at all or perform any one of the essential functions of the employee’s position within the meaning of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended, 42 U.S.C. Section 12101 et seq., and the regulations at 29 CFR Section 1630.2(n).  e.  A qualifying exigency, as defined in federal FMLA regulations, arising out of the fact that the employee’s spouse, son, daughter or parent is a covered servicemember on covered active duty, or has been notified of an impending call or order to covered active duty, in a foreign country.  f.  To care for a covered servicemember with a serious injury or illness if the employee is the spouse, son, daughter, parent or next of kin of the servicemember, pursuant to the FMLA regulations.  63.4(2)  Leave may be taken on an intermittent basis or on a reduced work schedule basis where this type of leave is medically necessary. The use of intermittent or reduced work schedule leave for circumstances described in paragraph “a” of subrule 63.4(1) shall be at the discretion of the appointing authority. Approval of intermittent or reduced schedule leave for circumstances described in paragraph “b,” “c,” “d,” “e,” or “f” of subrule 63.4(1) is mandatory if certified by a health care provider or proper military authority.  63.4(3)  Use of sick leave shall be in accordance with rule 11—63.3(8A). When FMLA leave is taken pursuant to paragraph “a,” “b,” “c,” “e,” or “f” of subrule 63.4(1), an employee must exhaust all paid vacation before unpaid leave is granted. However, sick leave may be used to the extent authorized by subrule 63.3(11). When an employee takes FMLA leave after the birth of a child and the employee has not received a medical release to return to work, the employee must exhaust all accrued sick leave and vacation before unpaid leave is granted. When the employee’s medical provider releases the employee to return to work, the employee is no longer eligible to use paid sick leave; however, the employee may use leave as authorized by subrule 63.3(11) and accrued vacation.When FMLA leave is taken pursuant to paragraph “d” of subrule 63.4(1), an employee must exhaust all paid sick leave, compensatory leave, and vacation before unpaid leave is granted.  63.4(4)  An employee shall submit a written request, using forms prescribed by the department, to the appointing authority within 30 calendar days prior to the need for FMLA leave when the need for the leave is foreseeable. In situations involving unforeseeable need for leave and leave involving a birth, adoption, foster placement, or planned medical treatment for an illness, the employee must provide notice as soon as practicable after the employee learns of the need for the leave. Notice may be made orally or in writing. Untimely requests or failure to provide notice or mandatory information to the appointing authority may result in delay or denial of the FMLA leave. The failure to follow mandatory leave policies may result in discipline of the employee.The appointing authority shall provide the employee with all notices required by the federal Family and Medical Leave Act and the policies of the department. Notices shall be provided to employees within the time frames prescribed by the federal regulations and the policies of the department. The appointing authority shall notify the employee using forms prescribed by the department, or verbally when circumstances prevent delivery of the forms. If verbal notification is made, the appointing authority shall take reasonable steps to deliver written notification to the employee within five workdays.  63.4(5)  The appointing authority may, at the agency’s expense, require a second opinion. The appointing authority will designate the health care provider to furnish the second opinion. In making the designation, the appointing authority shall select a provider that is not employed on a regular basis by the appointing authority. If the second opinion differs from the first, the appointing authority may, at the agency’s expense, require a third opinion from a health care provider agreeable to both the employee and the appointing authority. The third opinion shall be final and binding on both parties.  63.4(6)  During the period of leave, the appointing authority shall pay the state’s share of the employee’s health, dental, basic life, and long-term disability benefit insurance premiums. Failure by the employee to pay the employee’s share of the premiums will result in a loss of coverage. The appointing authority shall provide notice to the employee 15 calendar days prior to any retroactive or prospective cancellation of benefits coverage. Upon return from FMLA leave, employees who have dropped or canceled their health, dental, or life insurance benefits while on FMLA leave will be restored to the same level of benefits as prior to the commencement of leave upon completion of the necessary insurance applications and other forms required by the department.  63.4(7)  Upon returning from FMLA leave, an employee is entitled to no more rights or benefits than the employee would have received had the leave not been taken. If an employee does not return from leave because of the continuation, reoccurrence or onset of a serious health condition, the appointing authority shall require written certification from the health care provider. If the reason for the employee’s failure to return is not a certified serious health condition or other circumstances beyond the control of the employee, the state may recover its share of health and dental benefit insurance premiums paid during the period of leave.  63.4(8)  The appointing authority may request periodic reports concerning the employee’s medical status, and the date the employee may return to work. Requests for periodic reports will be made no more often than necessary depending on the facts and circumstances of each case and shall not exceed one request every 30 days absent extenuating circumstances.The appointing authority shall require written certification from the health care provider that the employee is able to resume work before allowing an employee with a serious health condition to return from FMLA leave. Upon return from FMLA leave, the employee shall be placed in a position in the same class held prior to the leave, or a class in the same pay grade for which the employee qualifies, with the same pay, benefits, terms and conditions of employment, and geographical proximate location, except that if a reduction in force occurs while the employee is on leave, the employee’s right to a position shall be established in accordance with 11—Chapter 60.  63.4(9)  If an employee unequivocally advises the employer that the employee does not intend to return to work, the employee’s entitlement to FMLA leave and associated benefits cease. The failure to return to work upon the expiration of FMLA leave may be considered to be job abandonment.  63.4(10)  If the employee is unable to perform an essential function of the position because of a physical or mental condition, including the continuation of a serious health condition, the employee has no right to restoration to another position under the FMLA. The appointing authority’s obligations may be governed by the Americans with Disabilities Act.  63.4(11)  An employee remains a participant in the deferred compensation and dependent care programs while on FMLA leave as authorized by these rules and the policies of the department.  63.4(12)  FMLA leave runs concurrently with other leave programs administered by the department to the extent the leave qualifies as FMLA leave.  63.4(13)  FMLA leave runs concurrently with a workers’ compensation absence when the workers’ compensation absence is one that meets the FMLA criteria.An employee can be offered “restricted light duty,” and if such restricted duty is refused, it may result in the loss of workers’ compensation benefits. Under the FMLA, the appointing authority may offer restricted duty; however, if the employee refuses, the employee shall lose workers’ compensation benefits but is still protected by the FMLA.Employees on workers’ compensation who are on FMLA leave concurrently and who are unable to return to work after the exhaustion of FMLA leave are subject to state workers’ compensation laws and will have no job restoration rights under the FMLA.  63.4(14)  Retention of vacation leave. Notwithstanding subrule 63.4(3), employees who qualify for FMLA leave are eligible to retain up to two weeks (80 hours) of accrued vacation leave in each fiscal year. An employee must elect, using forms prescribed by the department, to retain vacation by submitting the form to the employer no later than seven calendar days from the date it is determined that the employee’s leave is covered by FMLA. An employee will not be permitted to retain more vacation than is in the employee’s vacation bank at the time of election. Once the election is made, it cannot be increased; however, it may be reduced, at any time, to less than 80 hours. An employee will not be eligible to retain any donated leave.Related ARC(s): 8265B, 8979B, 0401C, 3215C11—63.5(8A)  Leave without pay.  A permanent or probationary employee, on written request and written approval by the appointing authority, may be granted leave without pay for any reason deemed satisfactory to the appointing authority, subject to the following conditions:  63.5(1)  Leave without pay shall not originally be granted for more than 12 consecutive months. Accrued leave need not be exhausted before leave without pay is granted except that accrued sick leave must be exhausted if the reason for leave without pay is due to a medically related disability. The determination to require the exhaustion of any or all accrued leave shall rest with the appointing authority except as provided in subrule 63.5(4). On written request, prior to the expiration of a granted leave, the appointing authority may, in writing, grant an extension of the leave without pay. The approved leave without pay extension may not be for more than an additional 12 consecutive months, unless otherwise approved by the director.  63.5(2)  Failure by the employee to report back to work on the date specified in the written request shall be considered a voluntary resignation unless otherwise approved by the appointing authority. A written statement accepting the resignation shall be sent to the employee by the appointing authority and a copy sent to the director.  63.5(3)  Employees who do not supplement workers’ compensation with sick leave, vacation or compensatory leave, and who are kept on the payroll in a nonpay status for more than 30 calendar days, shall be placed on leave without pay for purposes of probationary periods and other benefits. A written statement to this effect shall be sent to the employee within three days following the action by the appointing authority.  63.5(4)  When requested in writing and verified by the employee’s physician or other licensed practitioner, an employee shall be granted sick leave for at least an eight-week period when the purpose is to provide recovery from a medically related disability. If the employee’s accrued sick leave is exhausted prior to completion of the eight-week period, the employee shall be granted additional leave, paid or unpaid, for the remainder of the period, in accordance with these rules. The appointing authority may grant leave in excess of the eight-week period. Paid leave shall not be granted in excess of that accrued. At any time during the period of leave, the appointing authority may require that the employee submit written verification of continuing disability from the employee’s physician or other licensed practitioner. In addition to the reason listed, subrule 63.5(2) shall also apply under the following circumstances:  a.  The employee fails or refuses to supply the requested verification of continued disability.  b.  The verification does not clearly show sufficient continuing reason that would prevent the performance of the employee’s regular work duties.  c.  The employee is shown to be performing work which is incompatible with the purpose for which the leave without pay was granted.  63.5(5)  If an employee applies for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act, any leave without pay under the Family and Medical Leave Act shall run concurrently with the leave granted under this rule.Related ARC(s): 0401C, 3215C11—63.6(8A)  Rights upon return from leave.    63.6(1)  An employee who is on approved leave without pay, disaster service volunteer leave or educational leave must notify the appointing authority from which the employee is on leave of the intent to exercise return from leave rights. Upon return from leave, the employee shall have the right to return to a vacant position in the class held prior to the leave or to a class in the same pay grade for which the employee qualifies. If a vacant position is not available, the reduction in force provisions of 11—Chapter 60 shall apply. An employee on leave without pay, disaster service volunteer leave, or educational leave may request permission from the appointing authority to return to work sooner than the original approved leave expiration date. Employees on leave without pay for more than 30 calendar days, except for military leave, shall have their pay increase eligibility date adjusted to a later date which reflects the period of leave without pay.  63.6(2)  An employee who elects to separate from employment for purposes of induction into military service shall have the right to return to employment in accordance with 38 U.S.C. Sections 4301-4334. Upon return, the employee’s pay increase eligibility date and unused sick leave at the time of separation shall be restored.  63.6(3)  At the conclusion of a period of military service, an employee who is on approved military service leave must notify the appointing authority of the intent to return to employment. Upon return from military leave, the employee shall have the right to return to employment in accordance with 38 U.S.C. Sections 4301-4334.Related ARC(s): 8265B11—63.7(8A)  Compensatory leave.  Compensatory leave accrued in accordance with 11—subrule 53.11(5) shall be granted at the request of the employee whenever possible. However, the appointing authority need not grant a request for compensatory leave if granting the leave would cause an undue disruption.11—63.8(8A)  Holiday leave.  Holidays shall be granted in accordance with statutory provisions to employees who are eligible to accrue vacation and sick leave.  63.8(1)  The value of a holiday for full-time employees shall be eight hours or the number of hours the employee is scheduled to work on that day, whichever is greater. The value of a holiday that falls on a full-time employee’s scheduled day off shall be eight hours. Employees who are normally scheduled to work full-time shall not have their holiday compensation prorated for time on leave without pay during the pay period if the employee meets the conditions of subrule 63.8(3).Compensation for holidays shall be prorated for employees who are normally scheduled to work less than 80 hours in a pay period. Compensation shall be based on the number of hours in pay status during the pay period in which the holiday falls plus the hours that would normally be scheduled for the holiday which shall be included when determining the number of pro-rata holiday hours.Leave accrued under Iowa Code section 1C.2 as vacation shall be based on the employee’s hours in pay status.Compensation for holidays under this rule shall be either in pay or compensatory leave. The decision to pay or grant compensatory leave shall be made by the appointing authority.  63.8(2)  For employees who work Monday through Friday, a holiday falling on Sunday shall be observed on the following Monday and a holiday falling on Saturday shall be observed on the preceding Friday. For all other employees, the designated holiday shall be observed on the day it occurs.  63.8(3)  To be eligible for holiday compensation an employee must be in pay status the last scheduled workday before and the first scheduled workday after the holiday.An employee who separates from employment and whose last day in pay status precedes a holiday shall not be eligible for payment for that holiday.  63.8(4)  When the holiday falls on an overtime-covered employee’s scheduled workday, and the employee does not get the day off, the employee shall be compensated for the holiday in accordance with subrule 63.8(1) in addition to a premium rate for time worked. The premium rate shall be paid for hours worked during the 24-hour period from 12 a.m.through 11:59 p.m.on the holiday. However, hours compensated at the premium rate shall not be counted as part of the 40 hours when calculating overtime pay.When the holiday falls on an overtime-covered employee’s day off, the employee shall be compensated for the holiday to a maximum of eight hours.  63.8(5)  When an overtime exempt employee is required to work on a holiday, the employee may be compensated for the time worked in addition to regular holiday pay at the discretion of the appointing authority. When granted, compensation shall be at the employee’s regular rate of pay for all hours worked.11—63.9(8A)  Military leave.  For purposes of subrules 63.9(1) and 63.9(3) and as applied to nontemporary employees whose regularly scheduled work shift is 16 hours or less, “30 days” means 30 work days. For nontemporary employees whose regularly scheduled work shift is more than 16 hours, “30 days” in subrules 63.9(1) and 63.9(3) shall be defined in accordance with the provisions of Iowa Code section 29A.28.  63.9(1)  A nontemporary employee who is a member of the uniformed services, when ordered by proper authority to serve in the uniformed services, shall be granted leave without loss of pay for 30 days each calendar year. Absences required for military service shall be in accordance with the rules on vacation, compensatory leave, or leave without pay, 38 U.S.C. Sections 4301-4333, and 20 CFR Part 1002. Military leave may be utilized for up to 30 days in each calendar year. Any amount of military leave taken during any part of an employee’s scheduled workday, regardless of the number of hours actually taken, shall count as one day toward the 30 paid day maximum. If the employee’s work shift crosses two calendar days, only one day shall count toward the 30 paid day maximum. Work schedule changes shall not be made for the purpose of avoiding payment for military leave.  63.9(2)  A nontemporary employee who is ordered by proper authority to military duty as defined in Iowa Code section 29A.28 may elect to be placed on leave without pay or be separated and removed from the payroll.  63.9(3)  Nontemporary employees who elect to separate from employment when ordered by proper authority to military duty shall be given 30 days of regular pay in a lump sum with their last paycheck. Any previous paid leave days granted for military service in the current calendar year shall be deducted from this 30 days.Employees who elect to be placed on leave without pay when ordered by proper authority to military duty shall continue to receive regular pay and benefits for 30 days. Any previous paid leave days granted for military service in the current calendar year shall be deducted from this 30 days.  63.9(4)  At the conclusion of military service, the employee must notify the employee’s appointing authority of the intent to exercise return rights pursuant to 38 U.S.C. Sections 4301-4344.  63.9(5)  An employee taking military leave may use any vacation or compensatory leave that was accrued prior to service. Employees who elect to use vacation or compensatory leave shall continue to receive benefits in accordance with the state of Iowa’s benefits program policies and procedures. Upon return to employment, the employee’s accrual rate for vacation shall be at the same rate as if the employee had not taken military leave.  63.9(6)  An employee may maintain health and dental insurance coverage while on military leave for up to 24 months. The employee is responsible for paying the employee’s share of the health and dental insurance premiums if the period of military service is less than 31 days. If more than 30 days, the employee shall be required to pay 102 percent of the full premium under the plan to maintain coverage. Upon return to employment, the employee may elect to have health and dental insurance coverage become effective either on the first day of the month the employee returns to employment or the first day of the month following the month in which the employee returned to employment. Coverage under the plans will not have an exclusion or waiting period upon return to employment. An exclusion or waiting period may be imposed, however, in connection with any illness or injury determined by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to have been incurred in, or aggravated during, performance of service in the uniformed services.  63.9(7)  A person reemployed under this rule shall be treated as not having incurred a break in service with the employer by reason of such person’s period of service in the uniformed services.Related ARC(s): 8265B, 3115C, 3231C11—63.10(8A)  Educational leave.  Educational leave, with or without pay, may be granted at the discretion of the appointing authority for the purpose of assisting state employees to develop skills that will improve their ability to perform their present job responsibilities or to provide training and developmental opportunities for employees that will enable the agency to better meet staffing needs. Education financial assistance shall be in accordance with rule 11—64.10(8A).  63.10(1)    Length of leave.  Educational leave shall be requested for a period not to exceed 12 consecutive months. Accrued vacation or compensatory leave need not be exhausted before educational leave is granted. The determination to require the exhaustion of any or all accrued leave shall rest with the appointing authority. The appointing authority may grant an extension of the original leave for an additional 12 months.  63.10(2)    Selection of applicants.  While the selection of applicants is at the discretion of the appointing authority, it is the express policy of the state to offer all qualified employees an equal opportunity to be considered for educational leave within the limitations imposed by agency staffing requirements.  63.10(3)    Educational institutions.  An employee on educational leave may take course work at any accredited educational institution within the state. Attendance at out-of-state institutions may be approved provided there are geographical or educational considerations which make attendance at institutions within the state impractical.  63.10(4)    Agency report.  Rescinded IAB 5/27/15, effective 7/1/15.Related ARC(s): 8265B, 2000C11—63.11(8A)  Election leave.  An employee who is not covered by the federal Hatch Act and who becomes a candidate for paid, partisan elective office shall, upon the employee’s request, be granted leave 30 calendar days before a contested primary, special, or general election. The employee may choose to use accrued vacation or compensatory leave, or leave without pay to cover these periods.An employee who is elected to a paid, partisan office or appointed to an elective paid, partisan office shall, upon written request to the appointing authority, be granted leave to serve in that office, except where prohibited by federal law. The use of accrued vacation or compensatory leave, or leave without pay to cover this period shall be at the discretion of the employee. The leave provided for in this rule need not exceed six years. An employee shall not be prohibited from returning to employment before the expiration of the period for which the leave was granted.11—63.12(8A)  Court appearances and jury duty.  When in obedience to a subpoena, summons, or direction by proper authority, an employee appears as a witness or a jury member in any public or private litigation in which the employee is not a party to the proceedings, the employee shall be entitled to time off during regularly scheduled work hours with regular compensation, provided the employee gives to the appointing authority any payments received for court appearance or jury service, other than reimbursement for necessary travel or personal expenses. If the employee is directed to appear as a witness by the appointing authority, all time spent shall be considered to be worktime.  63.12(1)  Hours spent on court or jury leave by an employee outside the employee’s scheduled work hours are not subject to this rule, nor shall any payments received for court appearance or jury service be remitted to the appointing authority.  63.12(2)  The employee shall notify the appointing authority immediately upon receipt of a subpoena, summons, or direction by proper authority to appear.  63.12(3)  An employee may be required to report to work if there will be at least two hours in the workday, following necessary travel time, during which the employee is not needed for jury service or as a witness.  63.12(4)  Upon return to work, the employee shall present evidence to the appointing authority of any payments received for court appearance or jury service.11—63.13(8A)  Voting leave.  An employee who is eligible to vote in a public election in the state of Iowa may request time off from work with regular pay for a period not to exceed three hours for the purpose of voting. Leave shall be granted only to the extent that the employee’s work hours do not allow a period of three consecutive hours outside the employee’s scheduled work hours during which the voting polls are open.A request for voting leave must be made to the appointing authority on or before the employee’s last scheduled shift prior to election day. The time to be taken off shall be designated by the appointing authority.11—63.14(8A)  Disaster service volunteer leave.  Subject to the approval of the appointing authority, an employee who is a certified disaster service volunteer for the American Red Cross may, at the request of the American Red Cross, be granted leave with pay to participate in disaster relief services relating to a disaster in the state of Iowa. Such leave shall be only for hours regularly scheduled to work and shall not be for more than 15 workdays in a fiscal year. Employees granted such leave shall not lose any rights or benefits of employment while on such leave. An employee while on leave under this rule shall not be deemed to be an employee of the state for the purposes of workers’ compensation or for the purposes of the Iowa tort claims Act.11—63.15(8A)  Absences due to emergency conditions.  When a proper management authority closes a state office or building or directs employees to vacate a state office or building premises, employees may elect to use compensatory leave, vacation, or leave without pay to cover the absence. Employees may, with the approval of the appointing authority, elect to work their scheduled hours even though the state office or building is closed to the general public. Employees may, with the approval of the appointing authority, be permitted to make up lost time within the same workweek.Employees who are unable to report to work as scheduled or who choose to leave work due to severe weather or other emergency conditions may, with the approval of the appointing authority, use compensatory leave, vacation, or leave without pay to cover the absence.11—63.16(8A)  Particular contracts governing.  Where provisions of collective bargaining agreements differ from the provisions of this chapter, the provisions of the collective bargaining agreements shall prevail for the employees covered by those agreements.11—63.17(8A)  Examination and interviewing leave.    63.17(1)  Employees may be granted leave to take examinations for positions covered by merit system provisions. Employees may elect to use vacation leave, compensatory leave, or leave without pay at the discretion of the appointing authority.  63.17(2)  Employees may be granted the use of paid work time to attend interviews during scheduled work hours for jobs within their agency. For agencies that have statewide operations, the appointing authority may restrict the use of paid time to interviews within the central office, institution, county, region, or district office. A reasonable time limit for interviews may be designated by the appointing authority. Employees may be granted leave for interviews outside the agency, central office, institution, county, region, or district office in which case they may elect to use vacation leave, compensatory leave, or leave without pay at the discretion of the appointing authority.  63.17(3)  Appointing authorities shall post and make known to employees the provisions of this rule.11—63.18(8A)  Service on committees, boards, and commissions.  State employees who are appointed to serve on committees, boards, commissions, or similar appointments for Iowa state government shall be entitled to regular compensation for such service. Employees shall be paid in accordance with these rules for time spent.Pursuant to Iowa Code section 70A.1, employees shall not be entitled to additional compensation for such service.Employees shall have actual and necessary expenses paid.Employees shall notify the appointing authority at the time of the appointment.11—63.19(8A)  Donated leave for catastrophic illnesses of employees and family members.  Employees are eligible to donate or receive donated leave hours for catastrophic illnesses of the employee or an immediate family member. Contributions shall be designated as “donated leave” and shall be subject to the rules, policies and procedures of the department.  63.19(1)    Definitions:  
"Catastrophic illness" means a physical or mental illness or injury of the employee, as certified by a licensed physician or physician assistant, that will result in the inability of the employee to work for more than 30 workdays on a consecutive or intermittent basis; or that will result in the inability of the employee to report to work for more than 30 workdays due to the need to attend to an immediate family member on a consecutive or intermittent basis.
"Donated leave" means vacation leave (hours) donated to employees as a monetary benefit only. Recipient employees will not accrue vacation or sick leave benefits on donated leave hours.
"Employee" means a full-time or part-time executive branch employee who is eligible to accrue vacation.
"Immediate family member" means the employee’s spouse, parent, son, or daughter, as defined in the federal Family and Medical Leave Act.
  63.19(2)    Program eligibility for employee illness.  In order to receive donated leave for a catastrophic illness, an employee must:  a.  Have a catastrophic illness as defined by subrule 63.19(1); and  b.  Have exhausted all paid leave; and  c.  Not be supplementing workers’ compensation to the extent that it exceeds more than 100 percent of the employee’s pay for the employee’s regularly scheduled work hours on a pay-period-by-pay-period basis; and  d.  Not be receiving long-term disability benefits; and  e.  Be approved for and using or have exhausted Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave hours if eligible; and  f.  Be on approved leave without pay for medical reasons during any hours for which the employee will receive donated leave.  63.19(3)    Program eligibility for immediate family member illness.  In order to receive donated leave for a catastrophic illness of an immediate family member, the immediate family member must have a catastrophic illness as defined in subrule 63.19(1). The employee must:  a.  Have exhausted all paid leave for which eligible; and  b.  Be approved for and using or have exhausted Family and Medical Leave Act leave hours if eligible; and  c.  Be on approved leave without pay for the medical reasons of an immediate family member during any hours for which the employee will receive donated leave.  63.19(4)    Certification requirements.  The employee shall submit an application for donated leave on forms developed by the department. Appointing authorities may, at their department’s expense, seek second medical opinions or updates from physicians or physician assistants regarding the status of an employee’s or employee’s immediate family member’s illness or injury. If the employee is receiving FMLA leave, a second opinion must be obtained from a physician or physician assistant who is not regularly employed by the state.  63.19(5)    Program requirements.    a.  Vacation hours shall be donated in whole-hour increments; however, they may be credited to the recipient in other than whole-hour increments. All of the recipient’s accrued leave must be used before donations will be credited to the recipient. Hours will be credited in increments not to exceed the employee’s regularly scheduled work hours on a pay-period-by-pay-period basis. Recipients will not accrue vacation and sick leave on donated leave hours.  b.  Approval of use of donated leave shall be for a period not to exceed one year either on an intermittent or continuous basis for each occurrence.  c.  Donated leave shall be irrevocable after it is credited to the recipient. Donated hours not credited to the recipient will not be deducted from the donor’s vacation leave balance. Donated leave shall be credited on a first-in/first-out basis.  d.  Donated leave for catastrophic illness will not restrict the right to terminate probationary employees. The period of probationary status and the pay increase eligibility date, if in excess of 30 days, will be extended by the amount of time the employee received donated leave.  e.  Appointing authorities shall post a form developed by the department indicating that the employee is eligible to receive donated leave and the name of the person to contact for the donation. The appointing authority is not responsible for posting outside the employing department; however, donated leave hours can be received from executive branch employees outside the employing department.  f.  Leave without pay rules and procedures shall apply to the following benefits: health, dental, life, and long-term disability insurances; pretax; deferred compensation; holiday pay, sick leave and vacation leave accrual, shift differential pay, longevity pay and cash payments. In addition, employees receiving donated leave for catastrophic illness for themselves or their immediate family member will not be eligible for leadworker pay, extraordinary duty pay or special duty pay. If FMLA leave and donated leave for a catastrophic illness are used concurrently, the state is obligated to pay its share of health and dental insurance premiums. The state also maintains an employee’s basic life and long-term disability insurances during periods of FMLA leave.  g.  Employees may choose to continue or terminate optional deductions (e.g., miscellaneous insurance, savings bonds, charitable contributions, or credit union deductions) while using donated leave. Mandatory deductions are taken from gross pay first, then optional deductions as funds are available and as authorized by the employee. Union dues deductions will continue as long as the employee has sufficient earnings to cover the dollar amount certified to the employer after deductions for social security, federal taxes, state taxes, retirement, health and dental insurance, and life insurance.  h.  Contributions to the employee’s dependent care account will not be allowed during a period of leave without pay. Claims will not be paid for dependent care while an employee is on leave without pay.  i.  If an employee applies for and is approved to receive long-term disability, the employee may continue to receive leave contributions for up to one year on an intermittent or continuous basis or the effective date of the employee’s long-term disability, whichever comes first. Donated leave hours not used are not credited to the recipient and are not deducted from the donor’s vacation leave balance.
Related ARC(s): 6866C11—63.20(8A, 70A)   Blood, bone marrow, and living organ donation leave.  Employees, excluding employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement that provides otherwise, shall be granted leave pursuant to Iowa Code section 70A.39. An employee who is granted a leave of absence under Iowa Code section 70A.39 shall receive leave without loss of seniority, pay, vacation time, personal days, sick leave, insurance and health coverage benefits, or earned overtime accumulation. To ensure adequate staffing, an appointing authority may require employees to request leave, in advance, to serve as a voluntary blood donor pursuant to Iowa Code section 70A.39(2)“c.” An employee who requests leave to serve as a voluntary blood donor pursuant to Iowa Code section 70A.39(2)“c” may be denied such leave by the appointing authority if granting the leave would unreasonably impact the operational efficiency of the agency. The employee shall be compensated at the employee’s regular rate of pay for those regular work hours during which the employee is absent from work. An employee deemed to be on leave under Iowa Code section 70A.39 shall not be deemed to be an employee of the state for purposes of workers’ compensation or for purposes of the Iowa tort claims Act, Iowa Code chapter 669.Related ARC(s): 8265B, 6090CThese rules are intended to implement Iowa Code section 8A.413 and Iowa Code chapter 70A.
Related ARC(s): 8265B, 8979B, 0401C, 1568C, 2000C, 3115C, 3215C, 3231C, 6090C, 6866C