In what circumstances will a state employee be automatically terminated if he does not return to work after a leave has expired?

In Goggin v. State Personnel Bd. (1984) 156 Cal.App.3d 96, 202 Cal.Rptr. 587, the court upheld the automatic resignation of a state employee who did not return to work after his leave expired. (Id., at pp. 106-107, 202 Cal.Rptr. 587.) He had gone on sick leave on June 23, 1979. He failed to substantiate his continued illness and after many unsuccessful attempts to contact him during the months of July and August, he was notified by his employer of his separation on September 7, 1979. (Id., at p. 101, 202 Cal.Rptr. 587.) His termination was upheld based on an abandonment of his position.