Sickness Absence

Missing Work for Less Than a Full Workweek

Be sure to notify your manager when you need to be away from work.

If you miss less than a full workweek because of an illness or another health-related issue, you typically do not need to take further action. See below for additional circumstances when a PCII might be needed. You will report your time away as sickness absence on your timecard.

Missing Work for a Full Workweek or Seven Calendar Days

Once you are absent a full workweek, or seven consecutive calendar days, you need to have your doctor or health provider complete a Physicians Certificate of Illness and Injury (PCII*) Form. Employee Health & Wellbeing physicians cannot do this for you.

*In lieu of a PCII, other documentation from external provider may be accepted and must contain the following:

• Duration of absence – start and end dates, including frequency, if applicable.
• Medical facts related to the condition, e.g. chronic, permanent, any medically necessary restrictions or limitations.
• Details about hospitalization, if applicable.
• Continued care and/or treatment(s), if applicable.
• Attending provider specialization, contact information, and that provider’s signature and date.

You also need to return this form for the following circumstances:

• You had or you are planning surgery and/or were under general anesthesia (certain exceptions apply).
• You were admitted to the hospital.
• You were absent due to a heart or psychiatric condition.
• You are on a physician-ordered medical restriction.
• You are asked by your manager or Human Resources to submit a PCII, you need an extension to a current approved sickness absence, or you are on a plan that requires a PCII for all absences.

While you are out, you will continue to report your time away as sickness absence on your timecard.

When you return from sickness absence, you will also need to meet all return to work requirements and work with Human Resources and your Sandia medical case manager to coordinate your return.

Your Salary During Sickness Absence

You receive 100% of your salary for six weeks of sickness absence.

You receive 70% of your salary for an additional 20 weeks of sickness absence.

You can receive a higher level of salary replacement (up to 100%), by supplementing sickness absence with available vacation, vacation buy, or flextime. Check out examples through HR Solutions.

Time Reporting for Sickness Absence

You will report sickness absence through your timecard.

If your illness extends beyond 20 weeks, time used between weeks 20 to 26 will reduce your available paid family leave by an equal amount of time.

Sickness absence benefits reset to the maximum allowable hours if:

• You do not have medical visits or charge time off to sickness absence (or Paid Family Leave) for 90 days
  AND
• You do not take other paid time off in lieu of sickness absence for 90 days

Returning to Work

Returning to Work

When you return from sickness absence, you will also need to meet all  return to work requirements and work with Human Resources and your Sandia medical case manager to coordinate your return. Employees must return to work through Employee Health & Wellbeing if any of the following requirements are met.

• Have been absent for a full workweek or seven consecutive calendar days.
• Have had surgery and/or were under general anesthesia (exceptions: colonoscopies, laser eye surgery and routine dental and dermatology procedures without complications).
• Have been admitted to the hospital.
• Have been absent due to a heart or psychiatric condition.
• Require medical restrictions.
• Wear a dosimeter and have undergone a nuclear medicine procedure.
• Were absent because of a work-related illness or injury.
• Were evaluated by an outside facility for a potential exposure.
• Were absent as a result of any injury or treatment (including medication) that might affect their job performance.
• Were evaluated by an outside health facility for a potential Sandia exposure to a hazardous substance or electrical shock.
• Participate in the Commercial Driver’s License, Human Reliability Program and/or Crane and Hoist (you should refer to your specific program regulations).
• Were requested by management or Employee Health & Wellbeing to do so.

Coordination with Federal, State, and Local Laws

Time away due to sickness absence may run concurrently with federal, state, and local laws, including FMLA, California Family Rights Act and California’s pregnancy disability leave. California’s laws (and laws in other states) may extend your leave and income replacement period.