Paid Time Off

The Paramus Public Schools recognizes the importance of providing employees with access to paid time off to support their well-being, personal responsibilities, and professional balance. Paid leave is administered in accordance with applicable collective bargaining agreements, Board of Education policies, and state and federal laws. All requests for paid leave must be submitted and approved via the District’s designated Absence Management System (Frontline, formerly Aesop) prior to the requested absence date(s). Employees are advised not to make irreversible personal or professional plans until final approval is received from their building or department administrator.

Jury Duty

Employees summoned for jury service are encouraged to seek a postponement or exemption based on their status as public school employees. If service is required during the school year:

1. The absence must be reported via the Absence Management System, using the “jury duty” reason code.
2. Employees must submit the original jury summons and a confirmation of days served, issued by the County Clerk’s Office, upon their return.
3. These documents must be submitted to the employee’s immediate supervisor and the Human Resources Department.

Bereavement Leave

Employees must notify their immediate supervisor to request bereavement leave. Eligibility and the number of days granted are determined by the terms outlined in the employee’s individual contract or collective bargaining agreement.

Emergency Days

Emergency leave is granted based on the provisions of the applicable negotiated agreement. Employees must follow the absence reporting procedures and receive appropriate approval.

Personal Days

Personal days are granted in accordance with applicable collective bargaining agreements. Requests must be submitted through the Absence Management System and are subject to prior approval by the employee’s supervisor.

Vacation Leave

Vacation leave is available to eligible employees based on contract terms and is prorated according to the employee’s start date or approved leave history.

All vacation requests must:

Be entered in the Absence Management System.
Receive prior approval from the employee’s direct supervisor.
Employees returning from an approved leave of absence must wait a minimum of sixty (60) calendar days following their return to work before submitting a request for vacation leave.

Sick Leave

Sick leave is provided in accordance with New Jersey law and applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Key guidelines include:

A doctor’s note is required for any absence exceeding three (3) consecutive workdays.
The note must clearly state whether the employee is cleared to return to work, with or without restrictions.
Absences of ten (10) or more consecutive workdays are classified as extended leave and must be reported to the Office of Human Resources for appropriate documentation and approval.

Effective July 3, 2023, the permissible use of sick days includes the following:

Diagnosis, care, treatment of, or recovery from an employee’s mental or physical illness, injury, or condition, including preventive care.
Care for a family member during similar health-related events.
Circumstances resulting from domestic or sexual violence affecting the employee or a family member, including: medical treatment, counseling or victim services, legal proceedings, or relocation.
Death of a family member (up to seven (7) days)
Attendance at a child’s school-related meeting or event, including health- or disability-related discussions.
Closure of a child’s school or care facility due to a public health emergency declared by a governmental authority.

Securing a Substitute

When an absence requires substitute coverage (e.g., illness, professional development, vacation, emergency, or personal leave), employees are responsible for:

Entering the absence and requesting a substitute through the Absence Management System
Submitting requests as far in advance as possible
In cases of emergency, notifying their direct supervisor immediately

The system does not accept absence entries submitted less than 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the shift. Therefore, any last-minute absences must be communicated directly to the supervisor to ensure proper coverage.

Foreseeable sick days must be entered into the Absence Management System at least seven (7) days in advance. Failure to provide sufficient notice may result in denial of the sick leave request.

All accrued days are awarded on the basis of negotiated contracts and prorated according to the employee start date.

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