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FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE (FMLA) #226 CERTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS For leave due to an employee’s serious health condition or that of an employee’s family member, the City will require the completion of a Medical Certification form by the attending physician or practitioner. The form must be submitted by the employee to the City Administrator within fifteen (15) calendar days after leave is requested. If the form is not submitted in a timely fashion, the employee must provide a reasonable explanation for the delay. Failure to provide medical certification may result in a denial or delay of the leave. When leave is due to an employee’s own serious health condition, a fitness for duty certification (FFD) will be required before an employee can return to work. Failure to timely provide such certification may eliminate or delay an employee’s right to reinstatement under the FMLA. If an employee is using intermittent leave and reasonable safety concerns exist regarding the employee’s ability to perform his or her duties, a FFD certificate may be required as frequently as every 30 days during periods when the employee has used intermittent leave. Recertification of leave may be required if the employee requests an extension of the original length approved by the City or if the circumstances regarding the leave have changed. Recertification may also be required if there is a question as to the validity of the certification or if the employee is unable to return to work due to the serious health condition. SECOND AND THIRD MEDICAL OPINIONS The City may require an employee obtain a second opinion from a provider which the City selects. If necessary to resolve a conflict between the original certification and the second opinion, the City may require the opinion of a third doctor. This third opinion will be considered final. An employee will be provisionally entitled to leave and benefits under the FMLA pending the second and/or third opinion. ANNUAL MEDICAL CERTIFICATION AND RECERTIFICATION Where the employee's need for leave due to the employee's own serious health condition lasts beyond a single leave year, the City will require employees to provide a new medical certification in each subsequent leave year. Such new medical certifications are subject to the provisions for authentication and clarification and second and third opinions. REINSTATEMENT Employees returning from Family and Medical Leave will be reinstated in the same position or a position equivalent in pay, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment. GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE AND OTHER BENEFITS An employee granted leave under this policy will continue to be covered under the City's group health and dental insurance plan under the same conditions and at the same level of City contribution as would have been provided had the employee been continuously employed during the leave period. The employee will be required to continue payment of the employee portion of group insurance coverage while on leave. Arrangements for payment of the employee's portion of premiums must be made by the employee with the City. If there are changes in the City's contribution levels while the employee is on leave, those changes will take place as if the employee were still on the job. 69 12/2024