§ 71-15. Leave of absence without pay.

A permanent employee holding a position in the classified service who is temporarily incapacitated, either mentally or physically, to perform his duties or who desires to engage in a course of study such as will increase his usefulness on his return to the service or who, for any reason considered good by the department head or appointing authority, desires to secure leave from his regular duties may, with the approval of the department head or appointing authority, be granted a special leave of absence without pay for a period not to exceed six months and, with the approval of the Mayor and Council, may be granted an extension of such leave for an additional period not to exceed six months. Further leaves, in such cases, may be granted only with the approval of the Mayor and Council and the Civil Service Commission. Any employee asking for special leave without pay shall submit his request, in writing, stating the reasons why, in his opinion, the request should be granted, the date when he desires the leave to begin and the probable date of his return to duty. For any case of special leave without pay, other than as herein provided, the question of whether the employee granted such leave shall be entitled to his former position on his return from such leave or whether his name shall be placed on the reemployment list for the class shall be governed and determined by the civil service statutes and rules.