To provide the Employee with confidentiality related to a serious illness, Work Connections, or its equivalent, will be utilized to obtain the necessary documentation for a paid leave under this Article. The Employer will be responsible for initiating the claim, however, the House Officer is able to do this as well. The House Officer is responsible for ensuring Work Connections receives required documentation within a reasonable time frame or a time frame as prescribed by Work Connections.

A House Officer who is unable to work for at least one (1) week due to a) a single incident of serious disabling illness or injury, b) intermittent absences to receive multiple, on-going treatments resulting from and following a single disabling illness or injury (such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, physical therapy or dialysis), or c) severe complications from pregnancy that prevent attendance at work, or (d) a medically necessary period of physical recovery from childbirth that exceeds the amount of paid Maternity Leave provided pursuant to Section F shall receive up to a maximum of six (6) months, inclusive of weekends, of full pay in each three (3) calendar year period following their date of hire. Renewal of this six (6) months sick time benefit will occur on the first of the month in which the three-year anniversary occurs. However, if a House Officer is on paid sick leave under this provision on the renewal date, the renewal will be deferred until the House Officer returns to active employment for 30 days. The Employer will require verification of the House Officer's inability to work, including intermittent absences, before granting paid time off. In the event the House Officer applies for and is approved for Long-Term Disability benefits pursuant to Article IV of this Agreement, this six (6) month period of paid Serious Illness Leave qualifies as the elimination period for the Long-Term Disability benefit.

Time under the Family Medical Leave Act of up to twelve (12) weeks will run concurrently with any paid and unpaid time, beginning with the first day of a qualified illness.

When a House Officer has been off work due to a single serious illness or injury for thirty (30) calendar days, the circumstances will be discussed between the House Officer's Program Director and the House Officer to determine the appropriate course of action. Courses of action will include:

1. Return to work plan established based on Work Connections review of medical documentation from treating physician.
2. Application submitted for Long Term Disability, if appropriate
3. Obtain approval from GME Office for course of action
4. Contact of the HOA by the House Officer for information regarding the LTD Plan and other benefits that may be affected.