Okla. Admin. Code § 260:25-15-47

Current through Vol. 42, No. 8, January 2, 2025

Section 260:25-15-47 - Leave of absence without pay

(a)Conditions and provisions. An Appointing Authority may approve a request from an employee for leave without pay. The request shall be in writing and shall include the reasons for the leave and the estimated length of the leave requested by the employee. The approval of the leave shall also be in writing, and it shall specify the date the employee is to return to work. Leave without pay is subject to the following conditions:

(1) Leave without pay shall not be approved for more than 12 months. However, an employee on leave without pay may submit a written request for an extension before the end of the approved leave period. The Appointing Authority may grant extensions if the total length of the original leave without pay plus any extensions does not exceed 2 years. Any extension granted shall be to a specified expiration date.

(2) An employee may return to work before the specified date of return if the Appointing Authority approves a written request from the employee to return earlier.

(3) Failure of an employee to report for work on the specified date of return shall be cause for disciplinary action.

(4) The Appointing Authority may cancel leave without pay at any time and require the employee to return to work before the specified date of return. The employee shall be notified of the reasons for cancellation by certified mail or personal service and given 7 calendar days to return to work. Failure of an employee to report for work as directed may be cause for disciplinary action.

(5) If an employee is absent from work without proper authorization, the employee shall not receive pay for such absence. An Appointing Authority has the authority and responsibility to take appropriate action if fraudulent leave usage or leave abuse is detected.

(6) Leave without pay in accordance with this Section shall not for any purpose be considered a break in service.

(b)Rights upon return from leave of absence without pay. A properly executed leave of absence without pay shall accord the employee the right to be returned by the Appointing Authority to a position in the same job code as the original position and in the same geographical area unless waived by the employee.

Okla. Admin. Code § 260:25-15-47

Added at 31 Ok Reg 1346, eff 9-12-14

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 39, Issue 24, September 1, 2022, eff. 9/11/2022