8. Grieve the death of a family or household member who was killed in a crime of violence.
Duration of Leave
Except as otherwise provided below, you may take up to 12 weeks of unpaid VESSA leave within any 12- month period. Leave is based on a rolling 12-month period, looking back from the date the leave would begin. Leave under this policy may be taken intermittently or on a reduced schedule basis. You may not take more than two workweeks (10 workdays) of leave for the purposes described in bullets 6, 7, and 8. Leave under these circumstances must be completed within 60 days after the date on which you receive notice of the victim's death.
Notice and Certification
To obtain leave under this policy, you must provide the Company with at least 48 hours' notice, except in emergency situations or where such notice is not otherwise practical. In all cases, either before or after you take leave under this policy, the Company will require you to submit a sworn certification that your absence is for one of the qualifying reasons listed above and that you or a family or household member is a victim of domestic or sexual violence. The Company may also require you to submit the following supplemental information: Documents from a victim's services organization, member of the clergy, or medical professional from whom you or your family or household member sought assistance. A police, court, or military record. A death certificate, published obituary, or written verification of death, burial, or memorial services from a mortuary, funeral home, burial society, crematorium, religious institution, or government agency documenting that the victim was killed in a crime of violence. Other corroborating evidence. All information and documentation you provide in connection with your request for leave under this policy, including the fact that you requested and/or obtained leave, will be held in the strictest confidence—except to the extent you request or consent to any disclosure in writing or as otherwise required by law. Further, the Company specifically prohibits any discrimination, harassment, or retaliation against employees who request or take leave under this policy in good faith.
Terms of Leave
VESSA leave is unpaid. However, you may substitute any available PTO for leave taken under this policy. The substitution of paid leave does not extend the leave period, but runs concurrently with it.
VESSA leave may run concurrently with other leaves as permitted by applicable law.
During leave, you must provide periodic reports (at least every 30 days) about your status and any change in your plans to return to work. Interaction with the Family Bereavement Leave Act If you are entitled to leave under the Illinois Family Bereavement Leave Act (FBLA), you are not entitled to take additional leave for the purposes described in bullets 6, 7, and 8 that exceeds or is in addition to leave to which you are entitled under the FBLA. If you are not entitled to leave under the FBLA, leave taken for the purposes described in bullets 6, 7, and 8 will be deducted from, and is not in addition to, the total amount of leave time to which you are entitled. Leave taken for the purposes described in bullets 6, 7, and 8 or leave taken under the FBLA will not otherwise limit or diminish the total amount of leave time to which an employee is entitled.
Restoration
Upon return from leave, you will be restored to your previous position or to an equivalent position with equivalent employment benefits, pay, and other terms and conditions of employment.
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