(a) Temporary assignments for eligible injured employees that involve functions and duties falling within the employee's current classification may be made without respect to this section. This section only applies when eligible injured employees are temporarily assigned to perform the functions and duties of a classification other than the one to which they are appointed.

(b) When the employee and appointing power mutually agree, an eligible injured employee, including those in career executive assignments, may be placed in a temporary assignment that involves functions and duties not within the employee's current class, provided that:

(c) A probationary employee who is placed on a temporary assignment pursuant to this section shall be considered temporarily absent from his or her appointment classification and shall be subject to Board regulations concerning extensions of probationary periods. The experience in the temporary assignment shall count for purposes of counting experience toward satisfying minimum qualifications.