November 20, 2019
To: All MCGEO Sick Leave Bank members
Re: Sick Leave Bank (SLB) Leave year 2020
The SLB continues to be a great success. To date, the 2019 SLB has 4,317 members and has been able to assist hundreds of eligible members every year. The SLB has helped ease the financial impact of our members with serious illness or injuries. In addition, the SLB was able to assist many new parents who needed time away after the birth of their child. Keep in mind the SLB program requires all requests to be reviewed and vetted by medical professionals, therefore your contribution and investment is protected.
We look forward to your continued support in 2020 and have provided information below on how the program will work for the new leave year.
1. MCGEO members will be automatically enrolled in the SLB effective with the 2020 leave year. If you wish to be a member of the SLB in 2020, you don’t have to do anything. However, from November 20 through December 20, 2019, you have the opportunity to opt out of the SLB if you wish. The SLB is the only means of obtaining sick leave other than what members accrue each pay period.
2. Members are now able to opt-out online by clicking here: 2020 OPT-OUT. Use your County User ID and password to access the opt-out form electronically. If you are unable to log into your account, Click Here.
3. When new employees reach merit status and become MCGEO members in 2020 they too will be automatically enrolled in the SLB and will have thirty (30) days to opt out.
4. The maximum sick leave available to a SLB member in a leave year is 16 weeks or 640 hours. Leave will be prorated for part‐time members. SLB members are allowed one appeal, not to exceed 160 additional hours for their own medical condition, 80 hours for a qualifying family member.
5. Updated SLB policy and procedures documents and forms are located online at: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HR/OccupationalMedicalServices/MedicalLeave.html#1
6. Members who do not opt out will see their SLB contribution of ten (10) hours deducted from their pay advice dated February 14, 2020. Part time employees' deduction is prorated based on their budgeted work hours.
7. If the hours in the SLB fall below 3,000 hours, an additional assessment of up to eight (8) hours will be taken. There will be only one additional assessment during the leave year if needed.