Paid Medical Leave and Disability Benefits for Faculty and Academic Professional and Administrative Employees FAQ

1. How does Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) policy relate to this medical leave policy?

   If the employee is eligible for FMLA leave, it must be used concurrently with paid medical leave in accordance with the provisions and terms of each policy. FMLA paperwork should be completed following three days of medical leave usage. Consult with the local HR administrator for further information and assistance.

2. If an eligible faculty member or P&A employee provides FMLA medical documentation after three days of medical leave absence, must the individual also notify The Standard and provide an authorized health care provider's certification if the medical leave extends beyond two weeks?

   Yes. The individual must call The Standard and provide the documentation they request in order to certify the leave. FMLA medical documentation and that required by The Standard are separate and different; however, both are required by University policy.

3. If a faculty member or P&A employee has scheduled surgery at a particular time, can the individual contact The Standard to certify the leave in advance of the scheduled date?

   Yes, the faculty member or P&A employee is able to call The Standard to provide them with the appropriate documentation to obtain medical certification.

4. Can someone other than the employee call The Standard to register a claim?

   Yes, a family member or other person with knowledge of the employee's medical condition and doctors' contact information can call The Standard on behalf of the employee.

5. Must an absence of even one-half day be reported?

   Yes, medical leave usage of one-half day or more must be reported to the individual's department following departmental or college/administrative unit procedures, as appropriate.

6. Does an otherwise eligible employee receive pay for any portion of an unpaid leave if medical leave is required?

   No. For example, an employee on a 100 percent appointment with an 75 percent unpaid leave would receive 25 percent pay during the medical leave. The employee remains eligible for the long-term academic disability benefit after three months, if additional leave is necessary.

7. Is paid medical leave available to eligible faculty and P&A employees outside the term of a less than 12-month appointment when pay is not scheduled?

   Employees who are not paid on a 12-month pay schedule may not be paid for a full three month medical leave, depending upon the timing of the leave. For example, an otherwise eligible employee holding a 10-month July through April appointment becomes ill on April 1st and remains ill for a period of two months. This individual receives paid medical leave for the month of April, but not for the month of May, as this person was not scheduled to be paid during that month.

8. When an employee is absent from work intermittently due to a medical condition covered by this policy, when does disability leave begin?

   The Academic Disability Plan provides for a long-term disability benefit beginning with the fourth month of certified disability if the employee is earning less than 80 percent of his/her salary. In the case of an intermittent leave, disability leave begins after three months of intermittent medical leave that exceeds 20 percent time and is expected to continue at that level or greater.

9. A P&A employee's daughter is 30 years old and has been in an accident. She needs daily care during recovery from an injury. Can the employee use paid medical leave as provided under this policy to care for her during the daytime until other arrangements can be made?

   Yes, if the employee is eligible to use Medical Leave to care for an immediate family member. The 30 year old daughter falls under the immediate family member definition and up to 10 total days during a fiscal year can be used to care for or arrange care for a seriously ill family member.