What is a Leave of Absence?
A leave of absence provides approved time away from work. Unless taking a planned vacation, you should request a leave of absence if you need to spend five or more consecutive days away from work.
Important: If not on an approved leave of absence time away from work could be considered an unauthorized absence.
To learn more about leaves of absence review “What is a Leave of Absence?’
Reasons for a Leave of Absence
Eligible employees may request a leave of absence for reasons including:
- health condition
- to care for a covered family member
- birth or bonding with a new child
- personal reasons including education
- military service and training
- bereavement
- bone marrow or organ donation
How leave can be taken
A leave of absence can be taken three ways:
- Continuous: Full schedule over an uninterrupted period of time
- Reduced schedule: Reduces an employee’s usual number of working hours per work week, or hours per workday
- Intermittent: Leave is taken in separate blocks of time for either treatment or a flare up. Not permitted under all policies.
Income Replacement
Most leaves of absence provide approved unpaid time away from work, but there are several ways for an employee to replace some or all of their normal income while on a leave of absence.
- Paid Time Off: Sick, vacation and compensatory time (if eligible).
- Disability Payments: Short term and long term disability
- Workers Compensation: Worker’s compensation benefits.
- Compassionate Transfer of Leave: Donated vacation time taken as sick time.
Reporting paid time off
Most leaves of absence like Family Medical Leave are unpaid. For the time away from work related to an unpaid leave of absence you are required to use accrued paid time off in the following order:
- Sick
- Vacation
- Compensatory Time (if eligible)
You must report all time way from work on your online timesheet on LOUIE. If you do not have enough paid time off to cover you standard hours for any pay period you should report leave without pay.
How to request a leave of absence
Whenever possible you should request leave of absence at least 30 days in advance.
- To request a leave of absence complete the online Leave of Absence Request form.
- You will receive an email confirming the receipt of your request.
- Your supervisor will be notified by Human Resource of you have requested leave.
- Human Resources will evaluate your request and notify you if you are eligible for a leave of absence.
Types of Leaves of Absence
NAU offers a variety of leaves of absence, paid time off plans and disability benefits that provide employees approved time away from work with the potential for income replacement when they are not working.
Family Medical Leave (FML) Accordion Closed
Eligibility
Employees who have at least 12 months of service and who have 1,250 hours of service during the preceding 12-months.
Reasons for Leave
- A serious health condition such that the employee is unable to perform the essential function of the the job
- A serious health condition affecting legal spouse, parent or child
- Birth and care of a newborn child
- Placement of a child for adoption or foster care
- Care for family member in the military
Amount of Leave
- Up to 12 weeks
- Runs concurrent with Extended Medical and Industrial Leave
How Leave is Taken
- Continuous
- Reduced Schedule *
- Intermittent *
Income Replacement
- Leave is unpaid.
- Employees must use accrued paid time off (sick, vacation and comp time if eligible).
- May also be eligible to receive disability benefits.
Benefits
- Can continue coverage if employee premiums are paid through payroll deduction or personal payment.
- Coverage can be canceled if premium payments are 30 days late.
Parental Leave Accordion Closed
Eligibility
Regular employees not eligible for FML
Reasons for Leave
- Birth and care of a newborn child
- Placement of a child for adoption or foster care
Amount of Leave
Up to 8 weeks
How Leave is Taken
- Continuous
- Reduced Schedule *
- Intermittent *
Income Replacement
- Leave is unpaid.
- Employees must use accrued paid time off (sick, vacation and comp time if eligible).
- May also be eligible to receive disability benefits.
Benefits
- Can continue coverage if employee premiums are paid through payroll deduction or personal payment.
- Coverage can be canceled if premium payments are 30 days late.
Extended Medical Accordion Closed
Eligibility
Regular employees with at least 6 months of service
Reason of Leave
- Employee’s serious health condition
- Care for a covered family member (spouse, child or parent) with a serious health condition
Amount of Leave
- Up to 6 months not to exceed the number of days actively at work during the preceding 6 months
- Runs concurrent with FML and Industrial
How Leave is Taken
- Continuous
- Reduced Schedule if proceeded by a continuous period
Income Replacement
- Leave is unpaid.
- Employees are required use accrued paid time off (sick, vacation and comp time if eligible).
- May also be eligible to receive disability benefits.
Benefits
- Can continue coverage if employee premiums are paid through payroll deduction or personal payment.
- Coverage can be canceled if premium payments are 30 days late.
Personal Accordion Closed
Eligibility
Regular employees with at least 6 months of service
Reason of Leave
- Personal reasons
- Education
Amount of Leave
Up to 6 months not to exceed the number of days actively at work during the preceding 6 months. Exception for education: Up to 12 months can be granted
How Leave is Taken
Continuous
Income Replacement
Leave is unpaid, but employees can use accrued paid time off (sick*, vacation and comp time if eligible) and disability benefits for income replacement.
Benefits
- Paid status: Can continue coverage as long as employee premiums are paid.
- Unpaid status: Can continue coverage as long as total premium (employee + employer) is paid. Coverage can be canceled if premium payments are 30 days late.
Extended Military Accordion Closed
Eligibility
Regular employees and employees who meet the eligibility requirements under USERRA
Reason of Leave
Military service
Amount of Leave
Up to 5 years
How Leave is Taken
Continuous
Income Replacement
Up to 30 paid days in a 2 year period. All other leave is unpaid. Employees can use accrued paid time off (vacation or comp time if eligible)
Benefits
- Paid status: Can continue coverage as long as employee premiums are paid.
- Unpaid status: Can continue coverage as long as total premium (employee + employer) is paid. Coverage can be canceled if premium payments are 30 days late.
Review the Extended Military Leave policy
Victim’s Accordion Closed
Eligibility
All employees
Reasons for Leave
- As defined under the Arizona Victim’s Leave Laws
- Based on situation
How Leave is Taken
Continuous
Income Replacement
Leave is unpaid, but employees can use accrued paid time off (vacation or comp time if eligible) for income replacement
Benefits
Can to continue coverage if employee premiums are paid through payroll deduction or personal payment. Coverage can be canceled if premium payments are 30 days late.
Review the Victim’s leave policy
Bone Marrow\ Organ Donation Accordion Closed
Eligibility
All employees
Reasons for Leave
Bone Marrow or Organ Donation
Amount of Leave
- Bone Marrow: Up to 5 days
- Organ Donation: Up to 30 days
How Leave is Taken
Continuous
Income Replacement
Leave is paid
Benefits
Can to continue coverage if employee premiums are paid through payroll deduction or personal payment. Coverage can be canceled if premium payments are 30 days late.
Review the Bone Marrow\ Organ Donation policy
Other Types of Leaves of Absence
Quick Links
Supervisor Resources
Contact a Benefits Advisor
Faculty and Appointed Staff
Jo MacKenzie
928-523-1656
jo.MacKenzie@nau.edu
Classified Staff
Iris Price
928-523-7143
Iris.Price@nau.edu