Program donates sick time

By Suzanne Johnson, On-Line Forty-Niner

Tuesday, October 13, 1998

Cal State Long Beach faculty and staff members suffering from catastrophic illnesses may benefit from the generosity of their co-workers through the Leave Donation Program.

"It is a vehicle for the staff to support those suffering from catastrophic illnesses," said Donna Johnson, academic personnel assistant.

Under the program, faculty and staff members may donate their vacation or sick leave or both, in hour increments, to those who have exhausted all of their accumulated hours.

The program allows a person to donate up to 16 hours of leave credits per fiscal year. Donations are designated to a specific person, rather than pooled into a general fund, and are irrevocable, said Leslie Nix-Baker, director of employee relations.

In order to qualify for the program, the employee making the request must submit a statement from his or her physician verifying that the absence will be extensive, Nix-Baker said. The program requires the leave to be at least 30 days in duration.

The term catastrophic is not clearly defined, Johnson said. It covers many illnesses such as stroke, heart disease and cancer.

Rifa'at Ali Abou-El-Haj, a CSULB history professor, requested a donation of leave credits last month. He is currently on leave for non-life-threatening medical reasons.

In order to maintain confidentiality, no specific figures regarding the number of hours donated to Abou-El-Haj could be released.

Karen Lau, secretary for the history department, said that Abou-El-Haj is a well-liked and highly-respected individual.

Abou-El-Haj teaches at CSULB every fall semester and in New York every spring semester. He received his degree from Princeton University.