Article 35
Resignation
35.1 Employees who are advised that they are alleged to have been guilty of misconduct or incompetency and who are therefore requested to resign shall be given a statement written on the resignation form that:
1. They have a right to consult a representative of PEF or an attorney or the right to decline such representation before executing the resignation, and a reasonable period of time to obtain such representation, if requested, will be afforded for such purpose;
2. They may decline the request to resign and that in lieu thereof, a notice of discipline must be served upon them before any disciplinary action or penalty may be imposed pursuant to the procedure provided in Article 33 of the Agreement between the State and PEF;
3. In the event a notice of discipline is served, they have the right to object to such notice by filing a grievance;
5. They would have the right to representation by PEF or an attorney at every step of the procedure; and,
6. They have the right to refuse to sign the resignation and their refusal in this regard cannot be used against them in any subsequent proceeding.
35.2 A resignation which is requested and secured in a manner which fails to comply with this procedure shall be null and void.
35.3 Unauthorized Absence
(a) Employees absent from work without authorization for 10 consecutive workdays shall be deemed to have resigned from their positions if they have not provided a satisfactory explanation for such absence on or before the eleventh workday following the commencement of such unauthorized absence.
(b) Within 20 calendar days commencing from the 10th consecutive day of absence from work without authorization, such employees may submit an explanation concerning their absence, to the appointing authority. The burden of proof shall be upon the employees to establish that it was not possible for them to report to work or notify the appointing authority, or the appointing authority's designee, of the reason for their absence. The appointing authority shall issue a short response, within five (5) calendar days after receipt of such explanation. If the employees are not satisfied with the response, PEF, upon the employees' request, may appeal the appointing authority's response to the Governor's Office of Employee Relations, within five (5) calendar days after receipt of the appointing authority's response. The Director of the Governor's Office of Employee Relations, or the Director's designee, shall issue a written response within five (5) calendar days after receiving such appeal. The procedure contained in this subsection shall not be arbitrable.