Pursuant to section 13.C.4. of our Contract, the company has provided notification that an Absence Certificate will be required for the Christmas holiday, defined in our Contract as including December 20th to January 4th.
During this time, Flight Attendants will be required to provide an Absence Certificate for sick calls occurring during this time unless the Flight Attendant has had no absences in the prior twelve (12) calendar month period.
The following is our understanding of the requirements:
When using sick leave during the designated holiday period (that is, without approved family leave), whether paid or unpaid, Flight Attendants are required to provide an Absence Certificate. Any paid or unpaid absence will result in the Flight Attendant being ineligible to receive the holiday bonus credit.
In terms of Family Medical Leave usage, the following guidelines apply:
- Flight Attendants using FMLA for their own personal medical situation who request sick pay for the absence are required to provide the Absence Certificate if the absence occurs during the holiday period.
- Flight Attendants using FMLA for their own personal medical situation who do not receive paid sick time for the absence are not required to provide the Absence Certificate if the absence occurs during the holiday period.
- Flight Attendants using FMLA to care for an eligible family member, unpaid, are not required to provide an absence certificate if the absence occurs during the holiday period.
- Flight Attendants under Section 13.D.7. may use FMLA, paid, from their sick leave bank for up to three (3) consecutive days (or the duration of the pairing, whichever is greater) and are required to provide an absence certificate if the absence occurs during the holiday period.
If you have questions about the Absence Certificate requirement, please contact your Local Council Office.