Military Leave

Military Leave is available to all County employees including extra-help employees who perform service in the uniformed services as defined by Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) for active duty, activity duty for training, initial active duty training, and inactive duty training.  This includes the National Guard or reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States.

In addition, employees whose spouses or domestic partners are qualified members of the Armed Forces, National Guard or Reserves and will be deployed to a scene of military conflict, are afforded up to ten (10) days' unpaid leave from work to be with their spouse, upon giving at least two (2) business days' notice.

Please refer to the County's Military Leave Policy Military Leave Policy for more information and eligibility requirements.  In addition, the Family Medical Leave Act also provides special provisions for military family leave.

How to Request a Military Leave of Absence

Employees requesting a Military Leave of Absence must provide advance notice of their intent to take military leave (including type of leave and anticipated dates) and provide copies of their orders (or provide other appropriate documentation to substantiate the need for military leave if orders are not available, i.e. Special Operations) to their supervisor.  In an emergency situation, if orders are not available at the time of the ordered leave, oral notice should be given as soon as possible, with a copy of the orders to be provided to the department as soon as it is available. The type of leave and benefits will vary depending upon the type of military duty or training.  See the Military Leave Policy for more information on benefits.  If the leave is medical in nature, please refer to Family Medical Leave and the Medical Leave Policy.

Return to Work

Employees returning from military leave will be afforded all available protections under state and/or federal law, whichever gives the employee the broadest protections.

Military Service that lasted 1 to 30 days

An employee whose military service lasts 30 days or less must report to the County by the beginning of the first full regularly scheduled work day on the first full calendar day following the completion of the period of service and the expiration of eight hours after a time for the safe transportation back to the individual's residence.

Military Service that lasted 31 to 180 days

An employee whose military service lasts 31 to 180 days must submit a reemployment application (verbally or in writing) with their supervisor or Department HR Liaison no later than 14 days after the completion of the period of service.

Military Service that lasts more than 180 days

An employee whose military service lasts more than 180 days must submit an reemployment application (verbally or in writing) with their supervisor or Department HR Liaison no later than 90 days after the completion of the period of service.

In accordance with USERRA provisions, employees returning from a leave of absence necessitated by military service, provided the length of absence does not exceed five (5) years (cumulative length) will be restored to employment.  There are exceptions to the five year limit.  Please contact your Department's Human Resources/Payroll Liaison or the Disability Management Unit with any questions.