MCC provides unpaid medical leaves of absence to eligible employees who become temporarily unable to work due to a serious health condition or disability. For medical leave purposes, a serious health condition or disability includes inpatient care in a hospital, hospice, or residential medical care facility. It also includes continuing treatment by a health care provider.

Employees in the following employment classifications are eligible to request medical leave:

Eligible employees may request medical leave only after they have completed 240 calendar days of service. To accommodate disabilities, we may make exceptions to the 240 days rule. If you think you will need a medical leave, give your request to your supervisor at least 30 days before the leave would start. This will help us plan for your possible absence. If it is an unexpected situation, make your request as soon as possible.

We require a health care provider's statement verifying that you need a medical leave, when the leave would start and the expected end dates. You are responsible for telling us if that information changes later. Before you can return to work, we will require verification from a health care provider that says you are fit to return.

Unpaid medical leaves are normally for the period of the disability, up to a maximum of 12 weeks within any 12 month period. The 12 week maximum applies to any combination of both medical leave and family leave during any 12 month period. If you need more time, we will also consider a request for extension. Before beginning an unpaid medical leave, you must first use any available paid leave you may have, such as vacation or sick benefits.

If you sustain a work-related injury, you are eligible for a medical leave for the period of disability in accordance with the laws covering occupational disabilities.

Subject to the terms, conditions, and limitations of the applicable plans, MCC will continue to provide your health insurance benefits for the full period of an approved medical leave.

Your benefits, such as vacation, sick leave, or holiday benefits, will not accrue during a medical leave. When you return from leave, the benefits will start accruing again.

Please give us at least two weeks advance notice before you plan to return. When you return from medical leave, you will go back to the same job if it is still available. If that job is no longer available, we will place you in an equivalent job that you are qualified for.

If you do not come back to work promptly at the end of a medical leave, we will assume that you have resigned.