2026-27 Enrollment Forms are now available.

Q: What is the Sick Leave Bank?
A: The BFT Sick Leave Bank is a shared pool of sick days that enrollees have access to when they need an extraordinary amount of sick leave. 

Q: How do I join the Sick Leave Bank?
A: First, you must sign up during the enrollment period which is all of October. Then you will need to donate one sick day to the bank per year for three years.

Q: How do I use the Sick Leave Bank
A: When you need to withdraw you apply and the SLB governing board processes your request. Requests are rarely denied and almost always because the person is not signed up!

Q: Can I use the bank even if I don’t enroll?
A: NO! Every year we have to turn down several requests because the person did not enroll. While you can solicit donations under the Catastrophic Leave policy, the SLB is a much more reliable way to get extra sick days.

Q: How many days can I get from the Sick Leave Bank?
A: You can get 20 days on your first application. You can ask for an extension of 20 more days

Q: How do I pay the days back?
A: After you have returned to work, you repay 2 days per year. If you leave the district before paying back in full, the SLB will collect any remaining sick days you have until the balance is met or you have run out of days.

Q: What if I have more questions?
A: Contact BFT at (510) 549-2307 or president@berkeleyteachers.org.
 

Testimonials

• As a very healthy person, getting cancer was a huge shock. The sick leave bank helped me maintain my full teaching salary while I underwent chemotherapy. -Member ZM
• The sick leave bank helped me when I had to get an unexpected extensive surgery mid school year and it helped me again the following year when I was short on sick leave and broke my leg. - Member EB