Source: Elines

We’ve received a few inquiries at the MEC Office from Flight Attendants who have placed themselves on sick leave prior to the dedicated holiday dates requiring an absence certificate, July 1, 2018 –July 7, 2018.  The specific question is related to whether or not there is an obligation to provide an absence certificate for absences starting prior to the designated period and that overlap into the designated period.

For clarification purposes, Flight Attendants on sick leave status prior to the contractually designated dates of July 1 through July 7, are not required to provide an Absence Certificate. The contractual language of our JCBA, Section 13.C.4. clearly states that the absence certificate is required for sick leave that originates on the designated dates. Therefore, and as an example, if a Flight Attendant calls in sick on June 28 and remains on sick leave until July 2, 2018, an absence certificate is not required under this provision of the Contract.  Even though the sick leave overlapped into the July 1 – July 7 time frame where an Absence Certificate is required, the sick call did not originate on or during the designated dates. 

Additionally, Flight Attendants who have had no absences during the prior twelve (12) calendar months were not subject to the Absence Certificate requirement that applies during the holiday period.

However and to avoid any confusion, under the provisions of JCBA Section 13.C.5, Flight Attendants may be required to provide an Absence Certificate in a circumstance where abuse or misuse of sick leave is suspected.

The specific Contract language follows:

Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent the Company from requiring a Flight Attendant to provide satisfactory verification of an incapacitating illness from an accredited physician when circumstances suggest that abuse or misuse of sick leave has occurred

 Additional information on the details of the Absence Certificate and the applicable required dates may be found in E-Lines publication, dated June 26, 2018.