Policies

Personal Leave

Overview

This policy outlines the details around options available for personal leave for employees who do not qualify for or have exhausted all other types of leave available.

Definitions

Unpaid leave: period of time when an employee is away from work and will not receive compensation

Personal leave: a type of leave that is unpaid that could be for reasons of medical, family, personal, or other needs that may require the employee to be away from work for a period of time greater than 1 week but less than 12 weeks.

Responsibilities

Employee: responsible to notify their supervisor if the need for a personal leave arises. Also responsible for completing the required form to submit their request.

Supervisor: responsible for discussing need with the employee and ensure proper process is followed for the request to be submitted and considered.

Talent, Equity, and Engagement Office (TEEO): provide form for request and process the request of an employee for a personal leave and facilitate communication around the request.

Policy Details

Unpaid, personal leave could be considered for employees who do not qualify for other types of leave or have exhausted all other types of leave.

1. Eligibility
   1. Employees become eligible to apply for unpaid personal leave after 6 months of employment.
   2. Personal leave can only be requested after all other leave options have been exhausted.
   3. Unpaid personal leave is limited to one occurrence per calendar year.
   4. Accepting employment elsewhere or trying out a new opportunity is not a qualified reason to request unpaid personal leave.
2. Application process
   1. If an employee needs unpaid, personal leave, they need to notify their supervisor and the TEEO of their need.
   2. The personal leave request form will be provided and must be completed by the employee and submitted for consideration. Information requested will include:
      1. Purpose (reason) for the leave request
      2. Anticipated length of time for leave (no more than 12 weeks)
      3. Potential impact on department or work area that could result from the leave.
      4. The application will be considered by the direct supervisor and TEEO. If approved by these individuals, the request will be shared with the VP of the area for consideration.
      5. The decision will be communicated with the employee and further details will be discussed and arranged accordingly.
      6. The college reserves the right to deny requests for personal leave based on business needs and impacts of the request for time away from work.
3. Other personal leave provisions
   1. Employee benefits will continue throughout the approved leave time if the employee continues to pay all premiums on time. If payment is not received, the employee will be notified that benefits will be ended, and COBRA continuation rights will be sent for the employee to continue coverage.
   2. Central College will only attempt to hold an employee’s position open for up to 1 month of personal leave.
      1. If leave is greater than 1 month, the employee’s position may be posted and filled based on business need.
      2. If the employee’s position is filled prior to their return to work, they will be given a 30-day time period to remain employed and apply for any open positions for which they would be qualified. Their application will follow the typical hiring process and will be considered an internal candidate.
      3. If, after the 30-day time frame, no position has been secured, the employment relationship will end.
4. Return from leave
   1. The employee must notify their supervisor and the TEEO at least one week prior to their scheduled return to work.

Last Revision Date: 8/28/2024

Policy Owner: Talent, Equity and Engagement Office