If the second opinion is different from the first certification, the department head shall require an employee to be available for a third medical examination. The third physician shall be designated by both the employee and the department, and will be at the department's expense. The third physician's opinion is final and binding on the department and the employee. The department may require, on a reasonable basis, subsequent re-certifications, at its expense, during the period of leave. Adoption For purposes of adoption, a request for leave under this policy must be supported by reasonable proof of the adoption.
Reasonable proof includes documentation from the licensed adoption agency or court documents.
Medical documentation under this policy is kept separate from employee personnel files and is confidential. An employee's job and benefits are protected during the period of family and medical leave, whether taken as vacation leave, sick leave, voluntary shared leave, leave without pay or any combination. An employee must be reinstated to the same position held when the leave began, or one of similar salary grade, pay, benefits and other conditions of employment. If a permanent employee's position has been abolished during the period of family and medical leave due to a reduction in force, the employee is not entitled to reinstatement. However, an employee is eligible for severance pay and layoff priority.