10 In accordance with Staff Rule 750, the purpose of sick leave under insurance cover (SLIC) is to provide an eligible staff member with a period of extended absence with pay at the grade and step of the staff member upon exhaustion of sick leave entitlements under Staff Rule 740.1.1.
20 During a period of SLIC the Organization’s personal accident and illness insurance reimburses to the staff member’s department a sum equal to the staff member’s “remuneration” as defined in III.20 Annex 7.C. The reimbursement provides the department with funds to enable the recruitment of temporary assistance, if required, during the staff member’s extended absence for health reasons.
30 Subject to approval by the Staff Physician, Staff Health and Wellbeing (SHW), SLIC may be granted to staff members holding continuing appointments and fixed-term appointments of one year or more who:
- qualify for salary benefits under the Organization's accident and illness insurance policy [see III.20 Annex 7.C]; and
- have exhausted their sick leave entitlement under Staff Rule 740.1.1 i.e. six months (130 working days) of sick leave in any period of 12 consecutive months, provided that the total of all absences on account of sick leave shall not exceed nine months (195 working days) in any consecutive four year period); exhaustion of sick leave for part-time staff is calculated on a pro-rata basis; and
- remain absent for health reasons on a continuous basis for 30 or more full-time or 60 or more half-time calendar days.
40 For temporary staff members, special conditions apply for counting the application of SLIC - see Temporary Staff page.
50 The maximum entitlement to SLIC is 360 calendar days at 100% (equivalent to twelve 30 day months) or 720 calendar days at 50% in any five-year consecutive period. The period includes weekends and official holidays. The entitlement applies equally to full-time and part-time staff members.
60 The five-year consecutive period is calculated from the first day of SLIC within that period. As a consequence the entitlement may be renewed should the full five-year period have expired.
70 SLIC may apply at either 100% or 50% of a staff member's official daily schedule. Absence on SLIC must be on a continuous consecutive daily basis.
80 Absence on SLIC is subject to the approval of Staff Physician, SHW at Headquarters based upon relevant and complete medical certificates and/or medical reports. For regional and country office staff members, the Regional Staff Physician (RSP) provides the relevant documentation to SHW for approval of SLIC.
Salary and allowances during SLIC
90 During periods of SLIC staff members continue to receive their full salary and allowances applicable on the SLIC start date except danger pay as stated below. In accordance with Staff Rule 750.1, both the staff member and the Organization continue to make contributions to the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund, Group Accident and Illness insurance, and the Staff Health Insurance.
100 Allowances for staff members who are medically evacuated or medically cleared to depart from duty stations where the mobility and hardship scheme and/or danger pay is in effect:
- danger pay will cease from the date the staff member departs from the duty station in accordance with III.3.8 Danger pay;
- hardship allowance and non-family service allowance will continue to be paid.
Service credits during SLIC
110 During periods of SLIC service credits accrue in accordance with Staff Rule 750.2.
Start date of a period of SLIC
120 SLIC will apply provided the health related absence continues for 30 or more full-time (60 or more half-time) consecutive calendar days after expiry of sick leave under Staff Rule 740.1.1. For lesser absence the provisions of III.6.9 Certified Sick Leave will apply.
130 SLIC applies with effect from the calendar day immediately following the date on which the sick leave is exhausted under Staff Rule 740.1.1subject to the sick leave continuing for 30 or more full-time (60 or more half-time) consecutive calendar days. SLIC may start at midday if the calculation ends with a half day.
140 A staff member may be granted SLIC more than once, provided the maximum entitlement to SLIC (360 full-time/720 half-time calendar days over 5 consecutive years) has not been exhausted. A staff member who has resumed duties on a full-time basis after a period of SLIC and who is absent again for reasons of health, must first exhaust their WHO sick leave entitlement in accordance with SR740.1.1 before SLIC may apply again. A new period of SLIC may commence subject to the absence continuing for more than 30 full-time (60 half-time) consecutive calendar days.
150 SLIC absences are recorded in the staff member’s leave records by Global Human Resources (GHR) upon request by Department of Human Resources and Talent Management, HQ (HRT) and are subject to approval by SHW.
160 In accordance with Staff Rule 740.4, SLIC is recorded in full or half time consecutive calendar days only.
End date of SLIC
170 SLIC ceases on:
- the last date of approved absence for health reasons prior to the staff member being medically cleared to return to duty on a full-time basis; or,
- the date the SLIC entitlement is exhausted; or,
- any interruption to the period of continuous absence on another leave type, subject to SHW approval; or,
- the last date of approved absence for health reasons due to the lack of sufficient medical justification for the absence as confirmed by SHW,
whichever is earlier.
Obligations of staff members on SLIC
180 The obligations of staff members absent on certified sick leave absences also apply to SLIC absences particularly submission of timely medical certificates and/or reports as required. Staff members absent on SLIC must not leave the duty station without prior approval of the Staff Physician, SHW or a physician designated by the Staff Physician, SHW in accordance with staff Rule 750.3. This includes for absence on home leave or parental leave. See Obligations of staff members.
SLIC for chronic illnesses
190 SLIC does not normally apply during periods of absence of less than 30 days after WHO sick leave is exhausted. However, when intermittent absence of less than 30 days is related to chronic illness and sick leave and annual leave has been exhausted, based on a recommendation from Staff Physician, SHW, Director, HRT may exceptionally authorize periods of absence for health reasons of less than 30 full-time (60 half-time) calendar days be charged to SLIC. Where an exception is granted, service credits will accrue.
Combining other leave types during SLIC
200 During a period of SLIC at 50% a staff member may combine SLIC with another leave type e.g. SLIC at 50% with absence on annual leave, home leave, during the other 50% of the day. Certified sick leave, uncertified sick leave and discretionary days cannot be combined with 50% SLIC.
210 Where a staff member has been medically cleared by SHW/RSP to leave the duty station to exercise a home leave entitlement during SLIC, the SLIC absence will not be considered as interrupted. The absence will be reflected as SLIC rather than annual leave. Such cases must be referred to GHR by the HR Leave Specialist for the administration of the combined absences.
Return to duty following SLIC
220 The WHO eManual policy on Return to work following absence on extended sick leave applies to staff members who have been absent on SLIC. See also III.6.9 Certified Sick Leave, Returning to duty.
230 Upon return to duty, HRT informs the staff member and supervisor in writing of the sick leave entitlement available, if any, and his/her administrative status in relation to the application of SLIC.
- When the staff member is declared fit to return to duty by SHW/RSP on a full-time basis, SLIC ceases on the day preceding the return to work. HRT will identify any sick leave entitlement under Staff Rule 740.1.1. Only when it has been verified that WHO sick leave entitlements are available can any future absences be charged to certified or uncertified sick leave. Absences for which no sick leave entitlement can be identified are charged to annual leave and thereafter to special leave without pay (SLWOP) until such time as sick leave entitlements accrue.
- When the staff member is declared fit to return to work at a minimum of 50%, SLIC continues at 50% until the entitlement is exhausted or the staff member returns to work on a full-time basis. A staff member on approved 50% SLIC who is absent for a full day/s must provide an additional certified sick leave certificate for the full day/s or the absence will be charged to annual leave.
Exhaustion of SLIC entitlement where illness continues
240 SLIC is exhausted upon reaching 360 full-time (720 half-time) calendar days in any five-year consecutive period.
250 If illness continues after exhaustion of the maximum entitlement to SLIC, Staff Physician, SHW makes a written recommendation to Director, HRT in accordance with the requirements of Staff Rule 1030 Termination for Reasons of Health. See III.10.9 Termination for Reasons of Health.
Award of a Disability Benefit
260 If SHW consider that the staff member is incapable of performing his/her current duties, for a period which is likely to be permanent or of long duration, the case may be submitted to the WHO Staff Pension Committee for consideration of a disability benefit in accordance with Article 33 of the Regulations and Rules of the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund. A disability benefit may only be considered in cases of absence for health reasons at 100%.
270 If a disability benefit is awarded, the effective date for payment is the date on which all WHO sick leave, SLIC and annual leave entitlements are exhausted. The staff member is terminated in accordance with Staff Rule 1030 on the day after those entitlements are exhausted or on the day it is estimated that three months' notice of termination was received. Staff members who are terminated for health reasons may be entitled to a termination payment under Staff Rules 1030.3.4.
280 Pending the final decision of the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund, further absence for reasons of health is charged to annual leave. Once annual leave is exhausted, the staff member may be placed provisionally on special leave without pay (Staff Rule 650) or, Director, HRT may also consider granting special leave at half-pay in accordance with Staff Rule 740.1.3.
Reassignment due to reasons of health
290 If illness continues after SLIC has been exhausted and Staff Physician, SHW considers that the staff member cannot resume previous duties but would be able to take up other duties, reasonable efforts are made by the Organization to reassign the staff member to another position. If no reassignment possibility is identified or if the staff member refuses a reasonable offer of reassignment, the Organization may terminate the appointment in accordance with Staff Rule 1030 (termination for reasons of health).
Deferral of separation due to health reasons
300 Where a staff member’s appointment is ending during SLIC or pending the award of a Disability Benefit, the effective date of separation may be deferred in accordance with III.10.5 Effective date of separation.
