Unpaid Seasonal Leave may be requested by the Department Director and approved by the Human Resources Director for one consecutive leave during a 12-month period. This leave is used for business purposes, when work is normally performed on a seasonal basis for less than 12 months but for at least 8 or more uninterrupted months within a 12-month period. During the time business operations stop, employees may be placed on a temporary unpaid leave of absence in lieu of termination for not more than four months within a 12-month period. Vacation eligible employees placed on unpaid seasonal leave shall be cashed out for their unused vacation leave days at their regular straight time base hourly rate of pay plus longevity, if any, at the time the leave begins. Unused sick leave will not be paid to the employee and will be available for use once the employee returns to work from the Unpaid Seasonal Leave. If the employee terminates employment, unused sick leave will be paid out according to PCC 3.68.050, if applicable.