At the DGS office located at 2316 S Susan St in Santa Ana, a situation unfolded that raised concerns about how sick leave policies were being applied—but it ultimately resulted in an important win for the union.
This case involves Marshall Chikosi, an Office Technician Typing and member of DLC 702.
In late February, Marshall called in sick on February 26 and February 27. Despite having an excellent attendance record, management requested a doctor’s note.
Shortly after, on March 10, management communicated via email that photos and scanned images of doctor’s notes, as well as notes without wet or electronic signatures, were no longer being accepted by management, even in response to documentation already provided.
Concerned about how this was being handled, the union helped facilitate an informal discussion on March 20, 2026 to review the situation and ensure the policy was being applied fairly and consistently.
Just a few days later, on March 24, the informal discussion resulted in a resolution.
Management agreed that Marshall would be allowed to use his accrued sick leave balance, rather than being docked for his absence. This outcome reinforces the importance of fair and consistent application of sick leave policies and the value of the informal resolution process.
If you’re experiencing similar issues at your worksite, don’t go through it alone, call SEIU Local 1000 Member Resource Center (MRC) at 866.471.7348 (SEIU) Monday – Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for support, guidance, and representation when you need it most.