Benefits

Leaves of Absence

There are times when you may need to be away from your job for an extended period of time because of illness, family obligations or other reasons. The University has a wide range of leaves of absence designed to address your needs for time away from work. The types of leave available include:

Impact on your Benefits - Leave of Absence

Your benefits may be impacted should you need to take a leave of absence. Possible changes to your benefits are detailed below.

Medical, Dental, Group Life Insurance, Long Term Disability Insurance and Personal Accident Insurance

Contact Benefits prior to your leave. When you are on a leave of absence, you may continue your benefits coverage at the employee contribution rates for up to three months. After three months, you pay the full cost including both employee contributions and the University's contributions. You will be billed by Benefits beginning the first month you go on a leave of absence. There are several exceptions:

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Your contributions to the FSAs through your payroll will end. Therefore, you may only file claims for reimbursement for expenses incurred during the time you were contributing to the FSA.

Qualified Transportation Program

Your contributions to the QTP through your payroll end. Therefore, you may only file claims for reimbursement for expenses incurred during the time you were contributing.

Retirement Benefits

If your leave is unpaid, you cannot continue to contribute to your retirement accounts during your leave. However, your accumulated retirement funds will remain invested at your discretion.

If your leave is paid in whole or in part, your retirement contributions will be based on the compensation paid to you while you are on leave.

Time Off

You must exhaust all of your accrued vacation time and personal holidays before a leave of absence can begin.

Your accrued sick leave remains intact during your personal leave.

Your paid time-off accruals stop.