Leave of Absence

During your employment with the Shoreline School District, you may need to take time off for your own health issues, or to care for a family member.

There are a number of district, local and federal policies and provisions that may provide options for you when you need to take a leave of absence.

You may find more information about leave options by following the links below:

Collective Bargaining Agreements (SEA, SESPA, SCCA, SEIU, etc.)
Washington State Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML)
Federal - Family Medial Leave (FMLA)
Shared Leave - RCW 41.04.665

Process & Forms

Please contact Human Resources, Marie McCluskey, marie.mccluskey@ssd412.org, as soon as you become aware of the need to be off from work for medical reasons. This includes personal illness or injury, maternity leave, paternity leave, or to care for a family member.

You must complete in advance a leave request form, and provide medical documentation for the time period that you will need to be off from work.

Please complete this Leave of Absence Request to start the process.

The form for Doctor's documentation for your own medical illness or injury may be found here.

The form for Doctor's documentation for caring for a family member may be found here.

Once we receive the forms above, we can help you determine that best option for your leave.

If you are requesting Shared Leave, you must complete this form, and provide doctor's documentation (if not previously provided). Please send this request to marie.mccluskey@ssd412.org

Frequently Asked Questions

When do I request a Leave?

If you will be absent from work for over five consecutive days or a pattern of days request a leave of absence.
As soon as you are aware of a need for a leave of absence please let HR know. This will allow time to help determine the length of leave and to arrange coverage.
Shoreline School District employees are eligible for paid leave accumulations upon hire, depending on the position. Collectively bargained agreements, district leave policies, federally protected leave, and state paid leave are all considered for each unique situation.

Am I eligible for FMLA? PFML?

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that provides eligible employees with job-protected leave for qualifying family and medical reasons. FMLA leave is not paid leave, but you may choose to use your available sick leave. Eligible employees can take up to 12 workweeks of FMLA in a 12-month period. You are eligible for FMLA if you have worked in Shoreline Schools at least 1,250 hours over the last 12 months.
Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) is a Washington State law that provides paid time off to care for yourself or a family member for medical reasons or certain events connected to a family member’s active-duty military service. You apply for benefits through Washington’s Employment Security Department. The District does not approve, deny or determine eligibility for PFML benefits. You are eligible for PFML if you have worked 820 hours over the course of the preceding year, for any eligible employer in Washington State.

How much time can I take?

Please review your Collective Bargaining Agreement for specifics on length of leaves.
You must be on an approved leave of absence to be gone from work for more than five (5) consecutive days. Accumulated days of sick leave may be used for approved absences.
Please contact Human Resources, Marie McCluskey, marie.mccluskey@ssd412.org, as soon as you become aware of the need to be off from work for medical reasons. This includes personal illness or injury, maternity leave, paternity leave, or to care for a family member.

Can I maintain my health insurance while on a leave?

Your Collective Bargaining Agreement and SEBB Eligibility guidelines will determine how long your medical coverage continues.
If you are eligible for SEBB benefits at the beginning of the year, but your work schedule is revised (due to a schedule change or leave), so that you are no longer anticipated to work 630 hours during the school year, your eligibility for the employer contribution toward SEBB benefits ends the last day of the month in which the change in your work schedule is effective.
Please contact Human Resources, Marie McCluskey, marie.mccluskey@ssd412.org, as soon as you know your leave of absence specifics to learn about your coverage options.
More information on SEBB eligibility can be found on the Washington State Health Care Authority website

What if I don't have enough leave to cover my time off?

Leave without pay is only approved in very limited circumstances. Plan ahead. Prior approval must be obtained from Human Resources.
If you have a medical need to be off from work, and your leave time will be exhausted, you may be eligible to request Shared Leave
You may also want to look at Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) a Washington State law that provides paid time off to care for yourself or a family member for medical reasons or certain events connected to a family member’s active-duty military service.
Patient & Family Guide to Paid Family Medical Leave

Can I use my sick leave to care for a family member?

What do I need to return to work?

You will need to be released from your Healthcare Provider to return to full duty. You may use this return to work form. RTW form
You must notify the District of the date you intend to return to work.
If you have any restrictions on your return please contact Human Resources to discuss this need. We will work with you to determine your return to work date and discuss any restrictions or accommodations you may need to return.

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