Leaves

Ohio University offers a range of leave options to support employees through life’s circumstances — from medical or family needs to education or military service. 

Parental Leave

The Parental Leave Program allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of leave (6 weeks paid and 6 weeks unpaid) following the birth or adoption of a child. The leave must be used within 12 months of the birth or adoption.

• Paid and unpaid portions: The University provides 6 weeks of paid leave at the employee’s current salary rate. The remaining 6 weeks are unpaid but can be covered using accrued vacation or sick leave, if available.
• Spouses or partners: Two eligible employees may take parental leave concurrently or consecutively, as long as it occurs within 12 months of the birth or adoption.
• Eligibility: Benefits-eligible faculty, administrators, and bargaining unit staff are eligible for parental leave upon hire.

How to Apply

1. Speak with your supervisor or department head as soon as possible.
2. Complete the FMLA Application Form and Parental Leave Form.
3. Submit both to uhr@ohio.edu.

Disability Leave

When an employee has exhausted six months of unpaid Family and Medical Leave, they may be placed on disability leave with reinstatement rights to the same or a similar position.

• University health benefits are not available during disability leave, but employees may elect COBRA coverage.
• Employees may choose to apply for Long-Term Disability benefits for extended medical conditions.

Unpaid Leaves

Unpaid leave may be granted for educational, medical, military, or personal reasons.

Eligibility and duration depend on employee classification, policy, or collective bargaining agreement. Administrators and Faculty should refer to Policy #41.128: Leaves of Absence for Presidential Appointees for further details. AFSCME 1699 and AFSCME 3200 members should refer to their Collective Bargaining Agreements.

Educational Leave

• Classified employees may request up to two years; administrators may request one year of unpaid leave to pursue further education.
• University health benefits are not available during unpaid leave but may be continued under COBRA.

Medical Leave

• Up to six months of unpaid leave is available, typically in conjunction with unpaid FMLA.
• Health benefits may continue if premiums are paid during the leave.

Military Leave

• Employees who are called to active duty or training may receive up to 176 hours (22 days) of paid military leave each year.
• Additional unpaid military leave is granted in accordance with state and federal laws.
• Health benefits may continue if the leave is mandated by executive order.
• See the Guidelines for Military Leave. Classified employees should refer to policy #41.127.

Personal Leave

• Administrators and bargaining unit employees may request up to six months of unpaid leave for personal reasons.
• University health benefits are not available during this time but may be continued through COBRA.
• Administrative employees should refer to policy #40.027 and AFSCME 1699, AFSCME 3200 and FOP members their Collective Bargaining Agreements.