(a) An employer may have a written policy that allows an employee to cash out the employee's accrued sick leave during the course of the employee's employment or if the employee separates from employment if

1. (1) the employee is given the option to

   1. (A) take the cash payment instead of rolling over the yearly accrual; or
   2. (B) maintain the sick leave balance in case the employee returns to employment within six months of separation; and
2. (2) the employee acknowledges and voluntarily accepts the cash-out of sick leave in writing.