A. It is agreed by the parties that sick leave entitlement shall only be granted by the Division where an employee is unable to be at work and perform his/her regular duties as a result of illness or injury.
Teachers in the employ of the Division shall commence each school year with twenty (20) sick leave days, provided they have worked one full day in the new school year, plus all previously unused sick leave subject to a maximum accumulation as outlined below. Subject to Subsection B of this article, such leave shall not exceed twenty (20) teaching days in any school year.
B. Where the employment of a teacher is continued for more than one (1) year, the unused portion of sick leave in any year shall be carried forward and accumulated from year to year to a maximum of:
40 teaching days in the second year;
60 teaching days in the third year;
80 teaching days in the fourth year;
100 teaching days in the fifth year,
120 teaching days in the sixth year.
Effective Date of Signing of this Agreement, 130 teaching days in the seventh and subsequent years.
Any teacher hired other than at the beginning of the school year shall be entitled to a fraction of the twenty (20) day sick leave equal to the fraction of the remaining year.
Any teacher returning from sick leave and starting a new school year other than at the start of the new school year, shall be entitled to a fraction of the twenty (20) day sick leave equal to the fraction of the remaining year.
C. A teacher does not accumulate sick leave days while on sick leave.
D. Teachers employed on a part-time basis who have a contract with the Division, shall be granted sick leave with pay pro-rated based on full-time equivalents.
E. Sick leave shall not continue to accrue while on any leave of absence without pay.
F. A teacher shall be required to furnish a medical certificate when requested by the Division.
G. It is agreed that the 5/12 share of the Employment Insurance premium rebate shall be returned to the Association on or before February 28.
H. The Western Teachers Association and teachers shall be notified by the end of September of each year the total accumulated sick leave entitlement of each teacher.