Employees generally earn four hours of paid sick leave each pay period. Unused time is accumulated without limit, and prudent use of sick leave can provide a substantial reserve in case of serious accident or lengthy illness. You may use sick leave for preventive medical or dental care, meaning routine physicals or check-ups. You are also allowed to use sick leave to care for a member of your family, domestic partner, or child of a domestic partner who is disabled by illness or injury. For additional information regarding which family members are covered by your sick leave, please refer to the MOU for your bargaining unit. If the department has good reason to suspect an employee may be abusing sick leave, proof of illness or injury that prevents the employee from being able to work may be required, in the form of a doctor's certificate or equivalent. See the MOU for your bargaining unit for additional details. Upon retirement, disability retirement, or death of an employee, a percentage of accumulated sick leave will be paid (generally 50%), up to a certain maximum number of hours (generally 960 hours).