Opinion ID: 2997024
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Pamon

Text: In 2001, Pamon worked at the Department’s 21st District. In the fall of 2001, Pamon began to plan an extended leave from the Department. Using his twenty-five days of authorized furlough, Pamon, on November 16, requested off for the month of January 2002. In addition, Pamon planned to submit a request for a “furlough extension” through February 26; officers may use any accumulated personal time to extend their leave with the approval of supervisors. On the last day of work before Pamon started his furlough, December 28, 2001, he requested the furlough extension by placing his request sheet and time slips in his supervising sergeant’s in-basket. Although the Department had never rejected Pamon’s furlough-extension requests in the past, Pamon’s watch commander, Captain Eugene Roy, denied Pamon’s February furlough extension. He did so because Pamon had failed to comply with Department procedures for obtaining the extension—Pamon had placed it in a basket rather than discussing the matter personally with a watch commander (Roy had been on furlough himself until January 1, but Pamon should have talked to one of his replacements). Roy attempted to contact Pamon by telephone throughout the month of January. He also tried to inform Pamon that his furlough was denied by issuing a January 28 letter to Pamon’s address of record. Finally, Roy added a note to Pamon’s February 1 paycheck, requesting Pamon contact him. Despite personally picking up the check and seeing the note, Pamon did not contact Roy or otherwise inquire into his furlough status. After Pamon’s approved furlough ended on February 1, his unit continued to attempt to determine Pamon’s whereNo. 03-2690 7 abouts. Unable to find or communicate with him, the watch commander finally ordered that Pamon be noted as AWOP on February 13. Pamon failed to go to work or give notice to his district on February 13, 14, 15, and 19. The 21st District filled out PAR forms and sent them to the personnel division. Pamon finally contacted Captain Roy on February 25, 2002. Roy, Pamon, and the desk sergeant met the next day. Pamon explained why he had taken the extended time and why he was out of contact—he had been traveling back and forth to the South to care for sick friends. Pamon expressed his desire to keep his job at this meeting. Shortly thereafter, however, Commander Powers sent Pamon a letter advising him that his employment was being terminated because of his unauthorized absence. Pamon met with Jim O’Leary, an officer of the Union; O’Leary explained that the Union would not proceed on Pamon’s behalf. On May 30, 2002, Pamon joined Hudson’s lawsuit.