Time Off and Leave

The University provides 11 paid holidays per year to staff with a non-temporary appointment of at least half-time and scheduled to work a 12 month appointment.  Staff eligible for paid holidays serving in an appointment scheduled for less than 12 months will be provided the holidays that fall within their appointment schedule. 

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.). An absence request and a copy of the employee's military orders must be submitted in UNI Works prior to the leave period. The university is committed to complying with all rules and regulations relating to military leave, including the USERRA and Iowa Code 29A.28.

Military Absence Requests

First 30 days: Request Absence > Absence Type > Continuous Leave of Absence > Military Leave  

• Intermittent absences: Request Absence > Absence Type > Time Off > Military Time Off 

After 30 days: Leave status is changed to Military Leave without Pay. 

• Employees have the option to utilize their accrued vacation or compensatory time to remain in paid status.  

When an employee is required to appear as a witness or serve as a member of a jury in connection with public or private litigation, they will be entitled to regular compensation provided pay received for such service (other than travel or personal expense reimbursement) is surrendered to the university cashier. 

An absence request should be submitted in UNI Works: Absence Request > Time Off  > Jury Duty 

University employees who serve as a blood, bone marrow, or living organ donor will be granted a leave of absence at their regular rate of pay for the regular work hours during which the employee is absent from work for these reasons. 

Leave situations that qualify under the Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA) will be counted against eligible employees’ annual FMLA leave entitlement. An absence request must be completed and submitted in UNI Works prior to the start of the leave. Documentation is also required for approval. 

Donation Categories

Blood Donation

Absence of up to two consecutive hours in a workday may be granted (up to four times per calendar year) to serve as a voluntary blood donor. UNI Works: Absence Request > Time Off > Blood Donation

Bone Marrow Donation

Absence of up to five workdays may be granted to serve as a bone marrow donor. UNI Works: Absence Request > Time Off > Bone Marrow Donation 

Living Organ Donation

Leave of absence up to 30 workdays may be granted to serve as a living organ donor. UNI Works: Absence Request > Continuous Leave of Absence > Organ Donation

When you need time off work because of your own serious health condition or to care for your parent, spouse, or child with a serious health condition, you may qualify for job-protected absences under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).  UNI is required to provide eligible employees up to 12 weeks of time away from work per 12-month period for qualifying family, medical, and military-related reasons. This type of leave is approved through Human Resource Services.  

UNI employee benefit insurance is not maintained during unpaid leave; however you have the option of paying premiums sufficient to maintain full and continuous coverage on select insurance plans during the time of leave, subject to regulations set by the carrier. Please contact Human Resource Services to arrange for continuing or discontinuing insurance after leave is approved.

To learn more about your benefit options when on an unpaid leave, visit the I Need to Take a Leave supporting web page.