Leave of Absence

The Family and Medical Leave Act requires covered employers to provide eligible employees unpaid, job-protected leave for qualified family and medical reasons.

Southside ISD employees are eligible if they have been employed by the district for 1 year & worked at least 1,250 hours in the 12 months prior to the start of leave.

Eligible employees are entitled to up to 12 work weeks of job protected leave without loss of any employment benefits during a 12 month period for the following reasons:

• The birth of a child and to care for the newborn child within one year of birth

• Placement with the employee of a child for adoption or foster care and to care for the newly placed child within one year of placement

• To care for the employee’s spouse, child, or parent who has a serious health condition

• A serious health condition that makes the employee unable to perform the essential functions of his or her job

• Any qualifying exigency arising out of the fact that the employee’s spouse, son, daughter, or parent is a covered military member on “covered active duty”.

• 30 days before you need leave or as soon as practical: Complete and Return the Leave of Absence Request to the Benefits Coordinator and notify your Campus/Department Supervisor of your need for leave.

• Report your absences in Frontline.

• Give your treating physician the Medical Certification to complete. Medical Certification must be submitted to the Benefits Office within 15 calendar days.  

• If applicable, the district will continue to pay its portion of the employee’s health insurance premium for the approved FML period.

• Before you return to work, you must provide a Fitness for Duty form to the Benefits Coordinator.  You cannot return to work without this.