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To: MCGEO Members
From: Office of Human Resources / MCGEO UFCW Local 1994
Date: December 12, 2025
Subject: Sick Leave Bank (SLB) Leave Year 2026

The SLB continues to be a great success. To date, the 2025 SLB has 5,039 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. 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 2026 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 2026 leave year. If you wish to be a member of the SLB in 2026, you don’t have to do anything. However, from December 12, 2025 through January 12, 2026, 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: 2026 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 2026 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. A member who received the maximum allowable hours of SLB leave in the preceding leave year will be subject to a reduced SLB hour eligibility limit for the subsequent leave year. Members who have reached the maximum SLB usage during both the 2024 SLB year and the 2025 SLB year shall qualify for 4 weeks (or 160 hours based upon a 40-hour workweek) in the 2026 SLB year. Members who have reached the maximum SLB usage during the 2025 SLB shall qualify for 8 weeks (or 320 hours based upon a 40-hour workweek) in the 2026 SLB year.
   
6. Updated SLB policy and procedures documents and forms are located online at:
   http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HR/OccupationalMedicalServices/MedicalLeave.html#1
   
7. Members who do not opt out will see their SLB contribution of ten (10) hours deducted from their pay advice dated February 6, 2026. Part-time members deduction is prorated based on their budgeted work hours.
   
8. If the hours in the SLB fall below 4,000 hours, an additional assessment of up to ten (10) hours will be taken. There will be only one additional assessment during the leave year if needed.
   

2026 Sick Leave Bank (SLB) Online Opt Out Process

• To Opt-out online, Click HERE.
  
• If your account information does not come up automatically, type in your login ID + @MontgomeryCountyMD.gov (not your email address). Click Next.

• Sign in using your login ID and password that you use to login to your computer or ESS.

• Click “OPT OUT”

• Click the ‘Annual Opt Out’ check box → Click ‘Next’.

• Enter Primary Contact Phone Number → Click ‘Submit’.

If you are unable to access your account, CLICK Here to fill out an opt-out form online or print and mail, fax, or scan to:

Forms must be received no later than Monday January 12, 2026.