Recent events in Puerto Rico, Houston, Florida, and other areas remind us of the high value placed on those who volunteer in response to natural disasters. Those who volunteer at such times are driven by an urge to help others in need. They are willing to sacrifice the comforts of home and family to head into disaster areas and hazardous circumstances to render assistance.
If you are an individual compelled to answer the call to help others, please know that the the Connecticut General Statutes permits state employees, with the authorization of management, up to 15 days leave per year to deploy with the American Red Cross, without loss of pay or accruals.
Specifically:
C.G.S 5-249 Section 1(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes provides that:
(b) Any state employee who is a certified disaster service volunteer of the American Red Cross may, with the authorization of such employee's supervisor, be granted a leave not to exceed fifteen working days in each year to participate in specialized disaster relief services for the American Red Cross, upon the request of the American Red Cross, without loss of pay, vacation time, sick leave or earned overtime accumulation.
For those interested, here is contact information for the American Red Cross of Connecticut:
American Red Cross
Regional Headquarters, Farmington
209 Farmington Avenue,
Farmington, CT 06032
Phone: (877) 287-3327
- posted 9/28