I Need to Take a Leave

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per 12 month period for qualifying family, medical, and military related reasons. Employees are required to use their accrued time off to remain in paid status whenever possible while on approved FMLA leave. 

Benefits That Continue

During approved FMLA leave, UNI is required to continue to pay the employer share of the health, dental, vision, life and long term disability insurance premiums. You are responsible for paying your portion of the health, dental, and/or vision premiums. If you are in a paid status, these premiums will continue to be deducted from your pay as normal. If you move to an unpaid status these premiums will be direct billed to you.

Benefits That End 

During FMLA leave without pay, contributions to a flexible spending account (FSA), IPERS, TIAA, as well as a tax-deferred annuity (TDA) will cease until you return to work.  Sick and vacation accruals will not continue during FMLA leave without pay but will resume after you return to work. 

A medical leave without pay (MLWOP) may be granted in situations where an employee has a documented medical need for leave and either the employee is not eligible for FMLA or FMLA has been exhausted. In these instances, the employee must request a medical leave without pay prior to the exhaustion of their sick accruals. This type of leave requires departmental and divisional approval. 

Benefits That Continue 

During medical leave without pay, life and long-term disability insurance coverage will continue and will be paid for by the university. You will have the option to continue your health, dental, vision, and/or voluntary term life benefits but you will be responsible for the full cost of the benefits. 

An unpaid benefit election form should be completed in UNI Works to document your choice. If you choose to retain benefits while on unpaid leave, the premiums will be direct-billed to you with an invoice being sent to the address that is on file. 

Benefits That End

During medical leave without pay, contributions to your flexible spending account (FSA), IPERS, TIAA, as well as tax-deferred annuity (TDA) will cease until you return to work. Sick and vacation accruals will not continue during medical leave without pay but will resume after you return to work.  

Employees who are off work due to a work-related injury or illness and have either exhausted their paid time off or choose not to supplement their weekly workers' compensation payments will be placed on a Workers' Compensation Leave without Pay (WCLWOP).

Benefits That Continue 

UNI will pay the employer share of health, dental, vision, life and long term disability insurance premiums. You are still responsible for paying your portion of these premiums for four months (16 weeks) after being placed on WCLWOP. 

If you remain on WCLWOP beyond four months (16 weeks) you have the option to continue health, dental, and vision benefits by paying the full cost of coverage. The 12 weeks of FMLA leave (subject to eligibility) and the 16 weeks (DAS rule) are counted concurrently.

Benefits That End 

Contributions to a flexible spending account (FSA), IPERS, TIAA, as well as a tax-deferred annuity (TDA) will cease until you return to work. Sick and vacation accruals will not continue during an unpaid leave but will resume after you return to work.  

• If you apply for and are approved for Long-Term Disability, benefit coverage is subject to COBRA continuation.

An employee who is a member of the National Guard or Reserve component of the United States Armed Forces will be granted leave with pay for a period or periods not to exceed 30 days per federal fiscal year, provided the employee is called for field training, active duty, or in connection with an emergency condition (flood, riot, etc.).

Benefits That Continue 

As long as you remain in paid status on military leave you will continue to pay your portion of health, dental, vision, voluntary term life, flexible spending account (FSA), and/or retirement contributions and the university will pay the employer portion of those benefits. Life Insurance and long-term disability insurance coverage will continue to be paid by the university. Once you return from military leave, you have 30 calendar days to re-enroll in benefits if you waived them previously. 

Benefits That End 

During Military Leave without Pay, your benefit coverage will end the month your leave begins. Benefits include health, dental, vision, voluntary term life benefits, flexible spending account (FSA), Life Insurance, long-term disability insurance, and retirement contributions. Once you return to work, you have 30 days to re-enroll in benefits.

Employees qualify for LTD benefits if they become disabled under the terms of the Group Policy and have satisfied a waiting period of the latter of 90 working days or the date their accumulated sick leave expires.

• The monthly disability benefit is 66 2/3rds of their pre-disability earnings, up to a maximum monthly benefit of $6,667.

Additional plan details can be found in the LTD group booklet.

More Info: Principal LTD Policy Booklet

If approved for LTD the employee will have a formal termination from the university and receive a $750 monthly medical stipend directly from Principal Financial for 24 months.

• TIAA contributions will continue to be paid through Principal Life Insurance Company.
• A Survivor Benefit will also be provided by Principal Financial. 

Tenured faculty and probationary faculty after a successful third-year review, may apply for a Professional Development Assignment (PDA).  A PDA provides a maximum stipend, including appropriate fringe benefits, of the faculty member's full salary for one semester or one-half of the faculty member's salary for the academic year.

Additional information regarding PDA leave can be found in the Faculty Handbook.

Many of us can face challenges every day that can be stressful, overwhelming, and cause strong emotions. Visit our Stress, Mental Health, and Grief Services webpage for services that may be useful to you and/or your family.