Skip to Content

Human Resources Department

Employee Resources

4-10 Medical Leave Policy - Section III: Responsibilities

Human Resources Disability Management 750

Return to Medical Leave Policy Table of Contents

Approved: Board of Supervisors
Authority: Human Resources
Resolution: 24-0130
Revised Date: April 16, 2024

Read next: Section IV: Procedures for Use of Medical Leave

Section III: Responsibilities

A. Department Heads/Designees are responsible to ensure that appropriate departmental staff has all necessary information regarding the County of Sonoma’s Medical Leave Policy, and to ensure compliance with the policy.


B. Individual Department Human Resources Staff are responsible for:


1. Determining employee eligibility for appropriate leave options and advising employee of those options in accordance with the requirements of applicable law(s).
2. Providing written notice to an employee as required by applicable law regarding their request for and designation of leave.
3. Processing and tracking leave in consultation with the Human Resources Disability Management unit.
4. Retain records relating to the leave as required by law and County retention policy.
5. Provide copies of all leave documentation to Human Resources Disability Management unit.


C. Central Human Resources staff are responsible for:


1. Managing posting requirements under federal, state, and local laws/regulations covered by this policy, and distributing requirements to individual departments for posting.
2. Advising department heads, HRLs, and managers on department and employee rights and obligations related to employee medical leaves, the correct application of protections, leave benefit options, and leave management best practices.
3. Updating department and employee resources with current information pertaining to leave protections, forms and related resources.
4. Providing training to department human resources staff and management to enhance awareness of medical leave rights and protections under federal and state laws, County Civil Service Rules, County policy, and negotiated union contracts and the Salary Resolution.

D. Employees are responsible for:


1. Reading this policy.
2. Providing their department with proper, timely and complete notification of the need for a medical leave; and medical notes or certification forms containing required information when requesting and taking a medical leave of absence.