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33 Section 4. When requested by the Employer, a BUE will be required to furnish a medical certificate for absences of more than four (4) consecutive days. The BUE will have fifteen (15) days to submit medical certification when required. In lieu of a medical certificate, the BUE si gned statement explaining the nature of the illness may be accepted when circumstances in the individual case make it unreasonable to require a medical certificate. Section 5. The amount of sick leave granted to a BUE during any leave year for the purpos es described in sections 2c and 2e above may not exceed a total of 104 hours during a leave year. To use more than forty (40) hours in a leave year, a BUE must retain a balance of at least eighty (80) hours. As described in Section 2c and 2e "family" is defined as: a. spouse, and parents thereof; b. children, including adopted children, and spouses thereof; c. parents; d. brothers and sisters, and spouses thereof; and e. any individual related by blood or affinity whose close association with the employee is the equivalent of a family relationship. Section 6. The number of hours of sick leave used will not normally, in and of itself, constitute just and sufficient cause for sick leave counseling. Section 7. When the employer has evidence of sick leave abuse, a BUE may first be counseled concerning sick leave usage. If the sick leave abuse continues the BUE may be required to provide a medical certificate upon the return for future sick leave usage. In cases where the BUE is required to submit a medical certificate, the employer will review the requirement annually. Upon the BUE's request the employer will review the requirement at six (6) months. If the BUE(s) sick leave record does not indicate continued sick leave abuse at the time of review the BUE will be notified in writing that the medical certificate will no longer be required. Section 8. Because a request for sick leave may be of a personal nature, the BUE may not wish to divulge complete detail s of such personal medical business. If requested by the employer, the BUE will provided adequate information to support the need for sick leave such as surgery, examination, tests, medical consultation, etc. Request(s) for sick leave and individual sick l eave records will not be available or distributed as general information or publicized. Section 9. Whenever a BUE's request for sick leave is disapproved, may request a written reason for disapproval. Section 10. Each BUE may be advanced up to thirty ( 30) days sick leave, for serious disability or ailment, except when:

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