1. Definitions of Leave Benefits

2. Time Sheets, Leave Record Templates, and Guidelines

3. Other Leave Forms

4. Leave Earnings Reference Tables

5. Leave Policy

Definitions of Leave Benefits

Definitions:  The contents of the Leave Policy are defined as follows. Please refer to the Leave Policy for the details.

1.      Sick Leave: Employees holding permanent appointments may earn up to eight hours of sick leave per month.  Sick leave is granted to employees who are in active pay status for one half or more of the regularly scheduled workdays and holidays in the pay period. 

2.      Family Medical Leave: Pursuant to the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA), any eligible employee may be granted up to a total of 12 weeks of unpaid, job protected family and medical leave during a 12-month period while retaining employee covered health benefits. 

3.      Family Illness Leave: Family Illness Leave is an extension of the benefits provided under the Family and Medical Leave Policy.  A qualifying employee is entitled up to 52 weeks of leave without pay during a 5-year period to care for the employee’s seriously ill child, spouse, or parent.  Although this leave is without pay, an employee may elect to cover some or all of the period of leave taken under this policy by using vacation, sick, voluntary shared leave, or compensatory leave.  Health benefits are not covered under Family Illness Leave if an employee is not in active pay status.

4.      Disability Leave: Eligible employees may receive short- term disability leave up to one year.  This leave commences on day 61 of the leave period and covers 50% of the employee’s salary. 

5.      Maternity Leave: The University shall grant maternity leave to any employee who has a permanent, probationary, time limited, or trainee appointment when there is a temporary disability caused by or contributed to by pregnancy, miscarriage, childbirth and recovery. 

6.      Funeral Leave:  Employees experiencing a death within the immediate family may utilize sick and/or vacation leave to cover the missed time from work. See sick and vacation policies for additional information.

7.      Vacation Leave:  Vacation leave is granted to employees who hold permanent full-time or half time appointments and who are in active pay status for one-half or more of the regularly scheduled workdays and holidays in the pay period.  Vacation leave is earned according to years of service and/or employee classification. 

8.      Shared Leave:  An employee with a prolonged medical condition (20 days or more) who has exhausted all available vacation, sick and bonus leave may apply for or be nominated to receive leave transferred from another employee. 

9.      Community Service Leave:  In accordance with Executive Order 168 state employees are encouraged to volunteer time and expertise to benefit the diverse and distinct needs of North Carolina secondary schools, communities, and citizens.  Employees receive 24 hours per year for volunteer work in schools or 501 (C) 3 community/service organizations or 36 hours per year for tutoring/mentoring activities in schools. 

10.    Compensatory Leave:  Employees may earn compensatory leave for approved overtime assignments. 

11.    Military Leave:  Any full-time or part-time employee whose status is permanent, trainee, time-limited or probationary shall be granted leave for certain periods of service in the uniformed services. 

12.    Educational Leave Without Pay:  Educational leave without pay may be granted to SPA and EPA non-faculty employees for educational purposes that will better equip the employee for the performance of duties and responsibilities. 

13.    Workers’ Compensation Leave:  Any employee who suffers an accidental injury or contracts an occupational disease within the meaning of the Worker’s Compensation Act is entitled to medical benefits and compensation for lost time from work and any disability which results from the injury. 

14.    Civil Leave:  Leave with pay is provided to employees when serving on a jury or when subpoenaed as a witness. 

15.    Leave without pay:  Leave without pay may be granted to a full-time or part-time permanent, trainee, time limited, or probationary employee.  Extended leave without pay is defined as leave in excess of one-half the workdays in the month. Benefit eligibility ceases when the employee is on leave without pay for more than half of the workdays in a month.

16.    Adverse Weather Leave:  It is the philosophy of UNCA management to advise employees to exercise personal judgment and use adverse weather guidelines leave when road conditions are considered hazardous.  Employees should be encouraged by supervisors to use vacation leave privileges or to make up the time missed when driving is considered hazardous due to adverse weather. 

17.    Holiday Leave:  UNCA SPA and EPA non-faculty employees are provided eleven paid holidays per year except in those years when Christmas Day falls on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday allowing for twelve paid holidays. 

18.    Bonus Leave:  The 2001 Appropriations Act, Part XXVII. Salaries and Employee Benefits, Section 28.3A includes a provision for a special annual leave bonus for employees’ employed with the University as of September 30, 2002.   In addition, the 2003 Appropriations Act, Part XXX, Salaries and Employee Benefits, Section 30.12B include a provision for a Special Annual Leave Bonus of 80 hours of bonus leave for employees who were eligible for vacation leave on July 1, 2003. 

This bonus leave program is available to EPA non-faculty and SPA permanent full-time, part-time, probationary, trainee, and time limited employees.  Permanent, probationary, trainee, and time limited full-time employees are awarded a maximum of 80 hours while part-time employees receive a pro-rated amount. 

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If you have any questions about the Leave Policy, Procedures and Time Accountability, please call email Jeanene Wexler or call the Human Resources Office at 251-6605.