Rice University Human Resources
Policy No. 420-96
PERSONAL LEAVES
APPLIES TO ALL RICE UNIVERSITY STAFF WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR
BENEFITS
Personal leaves, including professional/educational leaves, may
be granted for periods of up to one year based upon the nature of
the employee's need for the leave, department staffing, and other
relevant considerations. Reasons for requesting personal leave
include, but are not limited to, further education or professional
development. Personal leaves alone or in conjunction with other
leaves may not be longer than one year. Personal leaves are
unpaid.
How are leaves approved?
Approval of the leave is recommended by the employee's
supervisor, department chair, or director for action by the dean or
appropriate administrative officer in consultation with the
director of Human Resources.
When are staff members eligible for a personal
leave?
Staff members are eligible for personal leave after they
complete the initial probationary period of six months.
Who replaces a person on personal leave?
Generally, other staff members may be asked to do the work of an
individual on leave. However, if the position is to be filled,
reasonable efforts will be made to fill it with temporary or
casual/on-call personnel.
Is reinstatement guaranteed after a personal
leave?
The University attempts to place employees returning from
personal leave in the same or an equivalent position of employment.
However, the University does not guarantee reinstatement at the end
of a personal leave.
Can payments from accumulated benefit time be received
during a personal leave?
While on personal leave, staff members may use or may be
required to use accumulated benefit time. Salary payments stop when
all accumulated benefit time has been used.
How does a personal leave affect insurance?
While employees are on approved personal leaves, the University
continues payment of its share of group health, basic life, and
long-term disability insurance premiums for the duration of the
leave. The employee remains responsible for his or her share of
insurance premiums while on leave. Failure to pay these premiums on
time may result in the loss of insurance coverage.
The period during which the University continues to share
benefit costs with employees shall be considered part of the
eligibility period established by the Congressional Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1985 and later Amendments for the purpose of
continuation of health insurance benefits.
How are personal leaves related to termination of
employment?
Employment may be terminated if:
- The individual resigns
- The individual fails to report for work when not on
leave
- No position is available when the employee is able to or
desires to return to work
- At the time the individual is able to return to work, no
position acceptable to the employee is available and he or she
refuses the position offered, or a disabled employee with
accommodations (that are not an undue burden) is unable to
perform the essential functions of the job or to perform his or
her duties without endangering the health and safety of the
employee or of others.
What alternatives are there to taking a personal
leave?
Staff members may request a temporary reduction in hours as an
alternative to personal leave. The request may be approved by the
department director in consultation with the appropriate vice
president, taking into consideration departmental work load and
staffing levels. Pay and benefits are adjusted as is appropriate
for the change in hours.
How may decisions about leaves be appealed?
Administrative decisions relating to leaves of absence may be
appealed through the problem-solving procedures available to
employees.
- See also:
- Benefit Time Policy
- Family/Medical Leaves
- Short-Term Disability
- Procedures for Personal or Professional/Educational
Leaves of Abscence.
- Supersedes:
- Policy Memoranda No. 401-82 and No. 420-93
- Re-employment Rights of Disabled Employee
- Short-Term Disability Leave
- Leave of Absence Without Salary
- Policy No. 420-94, Personal/Family Leaves