ARTICLE 4. BENEFIT AND LEAVE PROGRAMS EFFECTIVE DATE: 05/04/98
RULE 409. ABSENCES WITHOUT LEAVE REVISED DATE:

A.    Any unauthorized absence of an employee from duty shall be considered an absence without leave
        and the employee shall not be paid for such absence. While an employee is absent without leave,
        PTO leave and holiday benefits shall cease to accrue.

B. Any unauthorized absence shall constitute grounds for disciplinary action by the Division Head up to
and including dismissal for cause.

C.    An unauthorized absence without leave for three (3) or more consecutive working days shall be
        considered job abandonment and the employee shall considered to have resigned. Should the
        employee return to work within a reasonable length of time and provide a suitable reason acceptable
        to the Division Head, termination may be revoked and appropriate leave time may be allowed.