What to do when you are Sick

It is your responsibility to record your absences in AESOP (1-800-942-3767 or www.aesoponline.com)
If you are absent for more than 5 consecutive working days you need to be in contact with Employee Health Services.
The "Attending Physician's Statement" will be provided to you by Employee Health Services and is to be completed by a licensed physician or specialist recognized by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta. This form is to be returned to Employee Health Services within 30 days.
Physicians may submit invoices to Employee Health Services for payment.
Employee Health Services requires a doctor's clearance indicating an employee's fitness to return to continuous work prior to their actual return to work.
Employee Health Services is prepared to assist supervisors in providing work accommodations which are suitable and safe for the employee's functional abilities and allow for early return to work.

If you are a continuous contract teacher you have up to 90 calendar days of sick leave if needed.
If you are on a probationary or temporary contract you will accumulate sick leave benefits per month based on your FTE. If your accumulated sick leave benefits expires before the end of the 90 day elimination period you will be placed on leave without pay for the rest of that time period and may apply for medical employment insurance.
If you are away from the work place more than 30 days you will need to make a choice with respect to Extended Disability Benefits.

You will accumulate sick leave benefits per month based on your FTE.
If you are away from the work place more than 30 days you will need to make a choice from one of the following options:
- You may choose to use your accumulated sick leave benefits, and not apply for Extended Disability Benefits.
- You may choose to use all your accumulated sick leave and apply for Extended Disability Benefits which, if approved, will commence after the expiration of your accumulated sick benefits.
- You may choose to make application for Extended Disability Benefits which has an elimination period of 90 calendar days. If approved, benefits would commence on the 91st day. (please note: you will use a portion of your sick leave benefits to cover the elimination period).
- If your accumulated sick leave benefits expires before the end of the 90 day elimination period you will be placed on leave without pay for the rest of that time period and may apply for medical employment insurance.

Sick leave is not available to those who are temporary employees except under the following:
- Those temporary employees who in the past have accrued sick leave will retain their current entitlement.
- Temporary employees who in the past accumulated sick leave will be allowed to access any unused sick leave balance in their account.
- New and returning temporary employees will not be able to accrue sick leave from August 30, 2001.
- If you have a positive balance in your sick leave account as a result of past sick leave accruals as a temporary employee, you will be allowed to carry with you any unused portion of your sick leave entitlement into continuous, probationary positions.

Extended Disability Benefits are not guaranteed. You still need to provide ASEBP with sufficient medical information to prove total disability.
If you are not approved by ASEBP you have the option of obtaining your doctors approval to return to work or you may take a leave without pay and apply for Employment Insurance Benefits.

That an employee who has been away for more than 5 consecutive days must have clearance from Employee Health Services to return to the work place. This can be in the form of an e-mail, telephone call or Return To Work Form.
In some cases you will also receive a "Return to Work Accommodations" Form, which will indicate if an employee has any work restriction or needs to work modified hours. You will also be informed when these restrictions are lifted.