Arbitration Victory for Columbia County Employee

Columbia County was recently  ordered by an arbitrator to pay three sick leave days withheld by the County to our UPSEU member. "The County contended that the employee had more than the four instances provided for in the contract and withheld pay because she did not provide a doctor's note," said Regional Director Kathy Wright.  She went on to say,"That argument didn't hold water for the union, and ultimatley the arbitrator, because the County was trying to count prescheduled sick days and other leave accruals used towards the four instances. A prescheduled sick day is very different from an unscheduled absence."

Arbitrator Peter Prosper summed it up, "Although the pre-approved sick leave does not necessarily require a doctor's note, the County had the right to ask for a doctor's note if it believes that the employee has abused the policy... Absent such occurances, there is no requirement that an employee provide a doctor's note for pre-approved sick leave."