When services of a nonclassified employee are terminated for any reason, the employee or the employee's heirs shall be paid terminal leave benefits the same as classified state civil service employees, except that those nonclassified employees who are on an approved leave of absence from a position in the classified service and who return to that position shall utilize the combined balances of sick leave, both in the classified and nonclassified service, for the purpose of determining the percentage of sick leave payment.
MCL 38.1204