Absence Certificate Requirement During the Christmas Holiday Absence Period

Date: November 29, 2022

Clarifying Absence Certificate Requirement with FML During the Christmas Holiday Absence Period

Since the announcement of these two programs, we have been working to clarify with management the expectation as it applies to the requirement for an Absence Certificate in conjunction with the use of Family Medical Leave, on an unpaid basis, for absences during the defined holiday period. Let’s start by clarifying these two different periods of time.

The Holiday Incentive Program (Bonus Point Program) period applies from December 16, 2022 – January 5, 2023 under the following conditions:

1. The Flight Attendant is on active status the entire designated period
2. The Flight Attendant works a flight segment and/or stands Reserve during the period, local base time
3. The Flight Attendant generates zero attendance points as defined in Section 23.F.1 during the December 16, 2022 – January 4, 2023 time period.

The Flight Attendant will earn a one point credit that will offset the first point generating occurrence after January 5, 2023 provided all of the above conditions are met.

The Holiday Absence Period (as set forth in Section 13.C.4. of our Contract) is designated under the terms of the Agreement, as December 20, 2022 – January 4, 2023. It is during this period of time that management has advised Flight Attendants they will be required to provide an Absence Certificate for sick calls occurring during this holiday period unless the Flight Attendant has had no absences in the prior twelve (12) calendar month period.

The following is our understanding of the requirements:

First and foremost, when using sick leave during the holiday period (that is, without approved family leave), whether paid or unpaid, Flight Attendants are required to provide an Absence Certificate. Any absence, paid or unpaid, will result in the Flight Attendant being ineligible to receive the holiday bonus credit.

In terms of Family Medical Leave usage, the following guidelines apply:

• Flight Attendants using FMLA for their own personal medical situation who request sick pay for the absence are required to provide the Absence Certificate if the absence occurs during the holiday period. 
• Flight Attendants using FMLA for their own personal medical situation who do not receive paid sick time for the absence are not required to provide the Absence Certificate if the absence occurs during the holiday period.
• Flight Attendants using FMLA to care for an eligible family member, unpaid, are not required to provide an absence certificate if the absence occurs during the holiday period.
• Flight Attendants under Section 13.D.7. may use FMLA, paid, from their sick leave bank for up to three (3) consecutive days (or the duration of the pairing, whichever is greater) and are required to provide an absence certificate if the absence occurs during the holiday period.

In short, any use of sick leave during the holiday periodwithout associated Family Medical Leave, paid or unpaid, requires an Absence Certificate during the holiday period.

Any use of Family Medical Leave, paid, during the holiday period, requires an Absence Certificate.

Whereas, any use of Family Medical Leave, unpaid, during the holiday period, does not require an Absence Certificate.

Should you have additional questions on the interaction of Family Medical Leave with the Absence Certificate requirement or the holiday attendance bonus point program, please direct those through your Local Council Office.