§ 166A-32. Disaster service volunteer leave.
§ 166A‑32. Disaster service volunteer leave.
An employee of a State agency who is a disaster service volunteer ofthe American Red Cross may be granted leave from his work with pay for a timenot to exceed 15 work days in any 12‑month period to participate inspecialized disaster relief services for the American Red Cross. To be grantedleave, the request for the services of that employee must come from theAmerican Red Cross. The decision to grant the employee leave rests in the solediscretion of the employing State agency based on the work needs of thatagency. Employees granted leave pursuant to this Article shall not loseseniority, pay, vacation time, sick time, or earned overtime accumulation. TheState agency shall compensate an employee granted leave under this Article atthe regular rate of pay for those regular work hours during which the employeeis absent from his work. Leave under this Article shall be granted only forservices related to a disaster occurring within the United States.
The State of North Carolina shall not be liable for workerscompensation claims arising from accident or injury while the State employee ison assignment as a disaster service volunteer for the American Red Cross.Duties performed while on disaster leave shall not be considered to be a workassignment by a state agency. The employee is granted leave based on the needfor the employee's area of expertise. Job functions although similar or relatedare performed on behalf of and for the benefit of the American Red Cross. (1993, c. 13, s. 1; 2001‑508, s. 6.)