Supplemental leave bank keeps family’s finances afloat…three different times
Joshua Martinez
Friday, Nov. 22 is the final day to enroll in HISD’s Supplemental Sick Leave Bank (SSLB) this year, but if you’re still on the fence as to whether or not to participate, just ask someone who has directly benefitted from the program.
Joshua Martinez, an instructional specialist at Janowski Elementary School, has used the leave bank on three different occasions over the past two years, and all three times it has enabled him to keep his family’s finances afloat.
“I’m very thankful for both the surgeries and the sick leave bank,” said Martinez. “There was no interruption of income, which gave my wife and me peace of mind. And since I’m sole bread winner of the family, it definitely would have hurt us (to be without it).”
The SSLB offers participants up to 30 additional paid leave days in the event of a catastrophic illness or injury, resulting in an extended absence from work. Eligible employees must agree to contribute one day of their earned Local Leave to the SSLB to participate.
“It’s a no brainer now,” said Martinez. “Sharing sick days with others is a very valuable concept, something very worthwhile to do.”
For details on the SSLB, please visit the Benefits website.
Leave comments below if you’d like to respond to this story. And if you’d like to share your experience with the SSLB, please send an email to info@houstonisd.org with the subject line “SSLB.”
