Procedure No.:   40.033

Page No.:        1 and 2 of 2

Date Issued:     05/01/82

Issued By:       G. Peebles

PURPOSE:

To establish University policy and procedures for granting leave of absence to classified employees.

POLICY:

It is the policy of Ohio University to grant leave of absence, without pay, for a period not to exceed six months for medical or personal reasons subject to recommendation of the department head and approval of the Personnel Director, to permanent full-time or permanent part-time employees. Normally a leave of absence will not be granted during the initial probationary period.

A medical leave of absence shall be limited to the period of time that the employee is unable to perform the substantial and material duties of the employee's position. A medical leave related to pregnancy may include reasonable pre-delivery, delivery and recovery time. The length of any medical leave shall be certified by a physician. Accumulated sick leave must be exhausted before any medical leave can be approved. The University will continue group insurance coverage for a maximum period of six months for employees granted leave of absence for medical reasons.

A leave of absence for personal reasons may be granted to permanent full-time and permanent part-time employees. An eligible classified employee may be granted a leave of absence without pay for purposes of child care. Such leaves shall be limited to a period not to exceed six months.

Leave may be granted to permanent full-time employees for a maximum of two years for the purpose of education, training or specialized experience which will improve the employee's job skills. (Military leave provisions are covered in Policy No. 41.127.)

An employee granted a leave of absence for personal reasons may continue group insurance coverage for a six months period by paying premiums in advance. If an employee allows coverage to lapse while on leave of absence, a new enrollment card must be signed to obtain coverage upon return to work. Evidence of insurability may also be required.

Renewal or extension to any leave beyond the maximum allowed shall not be granted.

PROCEDURES:

An employee shall submit a formal request for a leave of absence as far in advance as possible, but at least two weeks prior to the first day of leave. The form to be used in requesting leave may be obtained from the Personnel Department. A supporting document; such as a physician's statement, etc., must be attached to the request for leave form.

An employee returning to work from a leave of absence must obtain medical clearance from the Occupational Health Clinic as outlined in Policy No. 40.034.

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When an employee returns to work from an approved leave of absence, the department head shall furnish, without delay, a written notification to the Personnel Department indicating the date of return. A Personnel Change Notice will then be issued to place the employee in an active pay status.

Upon completion of an approved leave of absence the employee will be returned to his/her former or similar position within the classification. If the position no longer exists the employee shall, with approval of the Personnel Director, be assigned to a position in a classification similar to that formerly occupied.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

An employee does not receive pay for holidays observed and does not earn sick leave or vacation credits during an approved leave of absence.

If approved by the department head and/or the Personnel Director, the employee may return to the position prior to the anticipated expiration of a leave of absence.

If it is discovered that leave is not actually being used for the specific reasons it was granted, the Personnel Director may cancel the leave and direct the employee return to work. In no case shall leave be granted to an employee for the purpose of seeking or accepting other employment, including self-employment.

An employee granted a leave of absence may restore lost service credit with the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) after returning to regular contributing status in the system for a period of twelve months. Details and procedures regarding PERS service credit may be obtained at the Personnel Department.

Dick Piccard revised this file (http://www.ohiou.edu/policy/s40-033.html) on January 7, 2008.

Please E-mail any comments or suggestions to "policy@ohio.edu".