60L-34.0051. Family Supportive Work Program

(1) Agencies are encouraged to exercise their authority under the Family Support Personnel Policies Act to balance employees’ abilities to work and to devote care and attention to their families.

(2) Agencies may approve flexible work schedules to assist employees in meeting family needs, provided that work can be accomplished in an effective and efficient manner.

(3) Agencies may approve job sharing to assist employees in meeting family needs, subject to Rule 60L-33.0032, F.A.C.

(4) Agencies shall approve absences for parental or family medical leave purposes as authorized in section 110.221, F.S., to assist employees in meeting family needs, subject to the following:

(a) Within one year following birth or adoption of a child, leave shall be granted for up to six months for the parent;

(b) Leave shall be granted for up to six months for a family member’s serious health condition, as defined in the FMLA and implementing regulations; and

(c) The agency shall acknowledge to the employee in writing the period of leave to be granted and the date the employee will return to duty.

(5) Agencies shall approve up to thirty calendar days family leave for non-medical family responsibilities, provided that the leave has minimal impact on the employee’s work unit. Family responsibilities in this area may include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a) Caring for aging parents.

(b) Involvement in settling parents’ estate upon their death.

(c) Relocating dependent children into schools.

(d) Visiting family members in places that require extensive travel time.

(6) An employee granted leave under paragraph (4)(b) or subsection (5) of this rule, may request to use accrued leave subject to the provisions contained in Chapter 60L-34, F.A.C.

(7) An employee granted leave under paragraph (4)(a) of this rule may request to use:

(a) Accrued leave subject to the provisions contained in Chapter 60L-34, F.A.C.;

(b) Paid parental leave in accordance with Rule 60L-34.00421, F.A.C.;

(c) Annual leave credits transferred in accordance with subsection 60L-34.0041(7), F.A.C.; and

(d) Sick leave credits transferred in accordance with subsection 60L-34.0042(7), F.A.C.

(8) An agency may place an employee on leave without pay if the employee is granted leave for purposes under subsections (4) or (5) of this rule and the employee does not request the use of specific leave type(s).

(9) Agencies may approve up to one hour of administrative leave per month for employees to participate in their child’s activities at local schools and child care centers.

Rulemaking Authority 110.1055, 110.1522, 110.219(5)(g), (h), 110.403, 110.605 FS. Law Implemented 110.1522, 110.219(5)(g), (h), 110.221 FS. History–New 1-1-02, Amended 12-11-23.