(a) Leave without pay may be granted to an employee upon recommendation of the department head and approval of the City Manager or designee for up to one hundred eighty (180) days. Each request for such leave will be considered in the light of the reasons for the request and of the needs of the organization. Leave of absence without pay is not authorized or permitted for other employment. Leave without pay may not be requested nor granted until such time as all accrued annual leave has been exhausted, except when an employee is absent and drawing workers’ compensation pay or a new employee has been granted approval for leave by the City Manager or designee prior to employment.

(b) If an employee uses more than thirty (30) days’ total leave without pay during the employee’s leave year, the employee’s merit anniversary and length of service dates will be advanced on the calendar as follows: The number of days the leave without pay exceeds thirty (30) days are added to the anniversary date to arrive at an extended anniversary date. A new anniversary date is then established on the first day of the month closest to the extended anniversary date.

(c) During a period of leave without pay, the employee’s benefits may be in abeyance. Cost of maintenance of health and related benefits will be at the personal expense of the employee and must be prepaid via the City to insure continued coverage.