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City of Englewood, NJ
Bergen County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
[Amended 3-19-1985 by Ord. No. 85-08]
The provisions of this article shall apply to members of the divisions of police and fire protection as well as all other City employees.
[Amended 3-19-1985 by Ord. No. 85-08; 12-14-1987 by Ord. No. 87-54]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
DISABILITY or DISABLED
Either a mental or physical condition, including an illness, infirmity, injury, or mental or physical condition, which:
A. 
Renders an employee unable to perform the normal duties of his position and which condition is permanent; or
B. 
Renders an employee unable to perform the normal duties of his position for a period of 120 workdays within any twelve-month period or 180 work days in any twenty-four-month period; or
C. 
Renders an employee unable to satisfactorily pass physical or mental performance tests established for a particular job description; or
D. 
Results in an employee taking excessive sick leave.
EXCESSIVE SICK LEAVE
Sick leave taken during a one-year period beyond the number of days granted by ordinance or collective bargaining agreement within a one-year period, not attributable to a traumatic injury or extended illness, as evidenced by a physician's certificate.
SICK LEAVE ABUSE or ABUSING SICK LEAVE
Use of sick leave which is not justified by illness, injury, or other physical or mental conditions as certified by the City Physician or a pattern of sick leave taken on either a repeated or consistent basis in excess of normal usage.
[Amended 3-19-1985 by Ord. No. 85-08; 12-14-1987 by Ord. No. 87-54]
A. 
A department head may require any employee within his department to submit to a medical examination, which shall be at the expense of the City, whenever he believes that such employee may be disabled or is abusing sick leave.
B. 
The physician performing such examination shall forward his report of said examination, together with his conclusions or recommendations concerning disability of the employee or abuse of sick leave to the department head who required the examination and also to the employee. The employee shall have the right to have himself examined by another physician of his choice, and at his expense and, if he chooses to do so, may submit the report conclusion and recommendation of that physician to the department head.
C. 
If after reviewing the report of the City's designated physician, together with any other reports submitted by the employee, the department head concludes that he employee is disabled or is abusing sick leave, he shall so report in writing to the City Manager and shall provide a copy thereof to the employee.
D. 
Whenever an employee reports as either "sick" or "disabled" for a regularly scheduled tour of duty or work shift, such employee shall not participate in any other work for the City of Englewood prior to such employee's next regular scheduled tour of duty or work shift unless such employee first submits a medical report signed by a licensed physician setting forth the nature of the illness or injury which formed the basis for the employee's absence and that the physician has subsequently examined the employee and has found the employee fit to return to duty or work.
[Amended 3-19-1985 by Ord. No. 85-08]
Except as may otherwise be provided by statute, upon his receipt of the report and recommendation of the department head, the City Manager shall fix a date for a hearing thereon which shall be not less than 10 nor more than 30 days from the date on which a copy of the report and recommendation was served upon the employee. Such hearing shall be conducted by the City Manager in the following manner:
A. 
Such hearing shall be conducted in a manner to provide a fair and impartial hearing to determine the facts relative to the proposed removal of the employee, or other appropriate action.
B. 
Either the department head or the employee may be represented at the hearing by an attorney.
C. 
The parties or their attorneys may present witnesses in their behalf (including medical witnesses), examine and cross-examine witnesses, examine documents and be given an opportunity to explain or rebut any evidence presented.
[Amended 6-4-1980 by Ord. No. 80-29]
Following the aforesaid hearing, the City manager shall render his decision, in writing, and shall provide a copy thereof to the employee and the employee's department head.
[Amended 6-4-1980 by Ord. No. 80-29]
If the employee involved is a department head, and if the decision of the City Manager is that the employee should be removed by reason of liability, then the City Manager shall transmit to the Council his findings and conclusions, together with any other relevant material, as soon as reasonably possible following the rendering of his decision, with a request for Council action to confirm such removal.
[Amended 6-4-1980 by Ord. No. 80-29]
The Council shall act on such proposed removal as soon as reasonably possible following its receipt of the aforesaid material from the City Manager. The Council may, if it chooses to do so, give the employee an opportunity to be heard thereon and may, if it deems it advisable to do so, receive additional evidence which it considers necessary or advisable for resolution of the matter.