Crisis Leave

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The university maintains a crisis leave pool that can be used by regular employees. Employees may donate their accrued vacation time to help coworkers in emergency situations when their leave has been exhausted.

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When to request Crisis Leave

  • The original probationary period is complete; 
  • All accrued sick, vacation, floating holidays, and compensatory time has been used; and
  • You are experiencing a qualifying reason.

Qualifying Reasons

  • You have a serious illness or injury, or
  • A serious illness or injury affects someone close to you, such as your:
    • Spouse or benefits-eligible adult designee
    • Child
    • Parent
    • A person who has that same relationship to your spouse or adult designee (for example, your spouse's parent or child)

Donating to the Crisis Leave Pool

Eligible employees can donate their vacation time to the Crisis Leave pool. This pool helps coworkers who have used up all their sick and vacation leave because of a personal crisis.

Who can donate: Regular employees who earn vacation leave and have finished their original probation period.

How much you can donate: Up to 3 vacation days per calendar year. In special circumstances, you may be allowed to donate up to 5 days per calendar year.

DONATE

Request Crisis Leave

  1. Fill out the online Crisis Leave Request Form
    • On the form, choose the qualifying reason and how long you expect to need it.
    • Include documentation from a licensed health care provider that supports your need for leave. The online form has a space for you to attach the supporting documents, such as a doctor's note or FMLA form.
  2. The university will review your request based on:
    • Does the reason qualify? The situation must meet the qualifying criteria.
    • Is there enough leave in the pool? There has to be donated time available to give out.
    • Attendance and leave history. The university checks how the employee has used leave and attendance in the past.
  3. You will be notified by email if you qualify for Crisis Leave and how much you're approved to receive. 
    • Your Crisis Leave amount is based on how much vacation you earn each year. The most you can get is 24 workdays per calendar year.
    • Crisis Leave is given in full-day amounts, not partial days. If you work less than full-time, your amount is adjusted to match your part-time schedule.
    • If you don't use all your approved Crisis Leave, the leftover time goes back into the pool for other employees.
    • If your request is denied, you cannot file a grievance to challenge the decision. This decision is final under university policy.

Crisis Leave and FML

If your situation also qualifies for job protection under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Crisis Leave will run concurrent with your Family Medical Leave (FML). It will not extend beyond what FML already allows.