Personal Leave

Lakeland may grant requests for leaves of absence without pay to eligible employees who wish to take time off from work duties to fulfill personal obligations. Such leaves will generally be considered only after all eligible paid leave has been used. Employees in the following employment classification(s) are eligible to request personal leave as described in this policy:

* Regular full-time employees

* Regular part-time employees

Eligible employees may request personal leave only after having completed 6 months of service. As soon as eligible employees become aware of the need for a personal leave of absence, they should request a leave from their supervisor.

Personal leave may be granted for a period of up to a maximum of 8 weeks within any 12-month period. If this initial period of absence proves insufficient, consideration will be given to a written request for a single extension of no more than 8 weeks.

Requests for personal leave will be evaluated based on a number of factors, including anticipated workload requirements and staffing considerations during the proposed period of absence.

Subject to the terms, conditions, and limitations of the applicable plans, insurance benefits will be provided by Lakeland until the end of the month in which the approved personal leave begins. At that time, employees will become responsible for the full costs of these benefits if they wish coverage to continue beyond the end of that month. When the employee returns from personal leave, benefits will again be provided by Lakeland according to the applicable plans.

Benefit accruals, such as vacation, sick leave, or holiday benefits, will be suspended during the leave and will resume upon return to active employment.

When a personal leave ends, every reasonable effort will be made to return the employee to the same position, if it is available, or to a similar open and available position for which the employee is qualified. However, Lakeland cannot guarantee reinstatement in all cases.

If an employee fails to report to work promptly at the expiration of the approved leave period, Lakeland will assume the employee has resigned.

Policy No.  603  Issued  10/1/2002  Applicable  8/8/2002