Frequently Asked Questions About Leaves of Absence

This page provides answers to frequently asked questions about unpaid Leaves of Absence. For specific questions about paid maternity or parental leave following birth or placement for adoption, foster care, or legal guardianship, browse Frequently Asked Questions About Maternity (Childbirth) and Parental Leave. For more information about absence from work and types of leave, consult the Staff Handbook. For consultation on questions specific to your situation, contact:

Central HR Contacts
Ann Arbor Campus: (734) 763-2387
Michigan Medicine: (734) 647-5538
Flint Campus: (810) 762-3150
Dearborn Campus: (313) 593-5190

Shared Services Center

For questions about Benefits, email: [email protected] or call: (734) 615-2000.

Central Payroll and Timekeeping Contacts
For Sick and Vacation Accrual/Balance Questions, email [email protected] or call (734) 615-2000, option 2.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Leaves of Absence

What is a Leave of Absence?

What is a Leave of Absence?

A Leave of Absence is approved time off work. Unpaid leaves of absence can be granted for the following reasons: care for a newborn or newly adopted child, newly appointed legal guardianship of a child, care for a seriously ill family member, employees’ personal medical condition, employees’ military service, employees’ education, employees’ government service, employees’ child, spouse or parent is called to active duty, employees’ care for covered service member with serious injury or illness incurred in active duty or employees’ personal reasons. Employees hired into Seasonal Appointments are eligible for Seasonal Leaves of Absence.
Paid leaves are available for eligible faculty and staff for recovery from childbirth and to bond with a new child following birth or placement for adoption, foster care or legal guardianship.
Questions About Benefits While on Leave
Will I get paid while I am on a leave of absence?

Leaves of absence are without compensation with the exception of Long-Term Disability Leave, Maternity (Childbirth) Leave and Parental Leave.

What if I have to care for a seriously ill family member?

Employees can request a Family Care Leave to care for a seriously ill family member.

I have been ill and have exhausted all of my sick time or PTO time and my extended sick time. What do I do now?

Employees can request a Medical Leave of Absence if paid-time has been exhausted and the employee is still medically unable to work.

I'm having a baby, what steps do I need to take to obtain time off work?

If you have been employed at U-M for at least one year, extended sick time pay may be used as soon as your pregnancy is known to cover prenatal care doctor’s appointments. If you are not eligible for extended sic ktime, you may use other time off for which you are eligible, such as short-term sick time, vacation or PTO.
Eligible faculty and staff may take paid leave to recovery from childbirth and/or to bond with a new child following birth or placement for adoption, foster care or legal guardianship. Review the Maternity (Childbirth) and Parental Leave Checklist for step-by-step instructions.

If you are not eligible for maternity leave, parental leave or extended sick time pay, you mus tuse short-term sick time pay or PTO to cover any time you are medically unable to work related to your pregnancy and delivery. You must also use your available vacation time to supplement this time off from work. Once your paid time off is exhausted, if you are still medically unable to work, you will need to request a Medical Leave. Once you are medically able to work, you can either return to work or request a Child Care Leave of Absence.

Arrangements for a gradual return to work can be discussed with the employee’s unit supervisor to ease the transition back to work. For more information, see Return to Work.

Where do I find the SPG on Leaves?

The SPG for Leaves of Absence is 201.30. The SPG for Paid Maternity (Childbirth) and Parental Leaves is 201.30-6.

How do I request a Leave of Absence?

See the checklists on this website specific to each type of leave for step-by-step instructions.

Who should I contact with questions about my Leave of Absence?

Contact the Shared Services Center, Telephone: (734) 615-2000, Email.

When will my Leave of Absence begin?

Most Leaves of Absences begin after paid-time (such as sick-time or PTO) has been exhausted. If paid-time does need to be exhausted, work closely with the timekeeper (either within the department or in Payroll) to determine last day of pay; most Leaves of Absence will begin the day following last day of pay.
Maternity (childbirth) leave begins immediately following childbirth. Parental leave may be used at any time within 12 months of your child's birth or placement for adoption, foster care or legal guardianship. Parental leave is subject to scheduling approval by the department, although units must allow a single block of time if requested.

When will my Leave of Absence end?

On the last day of the approved leave (unless an extension has been requested two weeks prior to end of leave).

What information regarding my leave will I receive in the mail?

Depending on the type of leave, an employee may receive the following three mailings:

If any time-off is covered under the provisions of the Family and Medical Leave Act, employees will receive a letter advising of the start and end dates of FMLA entitlement.

If a request for a Leave of Absence is approved, employees will receive a letter documenting the begin and end dates of the leave.

If an employee is enrolled in benefits, a “Leave of Absence Election Form” and information regarding benefit continuation will be mailed to their home address after the request for leave has been processed. Employees will receive a separate “Leave of Absence Election Form” for periods of Leave covered by FMLA and those not covered by FMLA.

Is my job protected while I'm out on a leave?

Staff members returning from a child care leave of six months of less, medical, family care or military service leaves of absence will be assigned to their former or equivalent position. Positions are not held for Educational Leaves or Long-Term Disability Leaves.

How will a Leave of Absence affect my years of service?

Years of service are not affected by the Leaves of Absence.

Do I need to stay in contact with my department during my leave?

It is recommended that employees stay in contact with their department or with Work Connections, if applicable.

What do I do if I need an extension on my Leave of Absence?

Employees need to contact their supervisor or Work Connections at least two weeks prior to the end of their current leave in order to request an extension.

I am still on Leave of Absence status but have returned to work. I have not received my paycheck. How do I become active again?

Employees should contact their supervisor. Supervisors need to contact their HR representative to confirm that return from leave paperwork has been processed.

What if I don't return from my leave?

Failure to report for work at the conclusion of a leave without requesting and receiving an extension of the leave will be cause for termination of the staff member’s employment with the university.

How can I tell if my Leave of Absence has been processed?

Employees can check their appointment online via Wolverine Access by selecting “Employee Business” and logging in with their Uniqname and Kerberos Password, then selecting “View Appointment” under “Employment Information.”

I'm on or going on a Leave of Absence. What happens to my benefits?

Depending on the type of leave an employee takes, and whether any portion of the leave is also covered by FMLA, different rules apply to benefits during a leave of absence. View information on benefits while on Leave of Absence.

What are the costs of my benefits when I am on a Leave of Absence?

Refer to Leaves of Absence/Reduction in Force Rates for information on benefits costs while on different types of Leave of Absence.

Is there a Website to make a payment to while on Leave of Absence?

Payments can be made to the Payroll Office in the form of check or money order. For more information, email [email protected] or call (734) 615-2000, option 2.

I have been out on a Leave of Absence for 3 months and have returned to work and would like to enroll in benefits again. How do I do that?

If your benefits were waived while on Leave of Absence, you will be reinstated upon return from leave. Employees who waived benefits while on Leave must report any changes (such as adding new dependents) within 30 days of returning from leave.

If your benefits were continued while on Leave of Absence, you must report any changes (such as adding new dependents) within 30 days of the event (such as childbirth).

I continued my benefits while on leave, but I am not returning to work. What will happen to my benefits?

If employees continue their benefits through the university during a leave, and the employee does not return to the university at the end of the leave, the employee will be offered COBRA for the medical/prescription drug insurance, dental plan, vision and health care flexible spending account. Under COBRA, the employee may continue these benefits at the employees’ own expense for up to 18 months.

I did not continue my benefits while on leave, and am not returning to work. What will happen to my benefits?

If an employee did not elect and pay to continue benefits while on leave, benefits end the first of the month following the leave, or if the leave begins on the first day of the month, benefits end on the first day of the leave. COBRA is issued at the time of termination from the university.

What happens if I move from one type of leave of absence to another?

When you move from one type of leave of absence to another, you may receive a second leave letter to continue benefits. If this change in leave of absence type goes to a type of leave eligible for university contributions toward benefits (typically FMLA) to a leave of absence not eligible for university contributions toward benefits (typically personal leave or childcare), the change will affect the amount you owe for benefits and amounts you need to pay in order to prevent coverage interruption.
Questions About Pregnancy and Delivery

I'm having a baby, what steps do I need to take to obtain time off work?

If you have been employed at U-M for at least one year, extended sick time pay may be used as soon as your pregnancy is known to cover prenatal care doctor’s appointments. If you are not eligible for extended sic ktime, you may use other time off for which you are eligible, such as short-term sick time, vacation or PTO.
Eligible faculty and staff may take paid leave to recovery from childbirth and/or to bond with a new child following birth or placement for adoption, foster care or legal guardianship. Review the Maternity (Childbirth) and Parental Leave Checklist for step-by-step instructions.

If you are not eligible for maternity leave, parental leave or extended sick time pay, you mus tuse short-term sick time pay or PTO to cover any time you are medically unable to work related to your pregnancy and delivery. You must also use your available vacation time to supplement this time off from work. Once your paid time off is exhausted, if you are still medically unable to work, you will need to request a Medical Leave. Once you are medically able to work, you can either return to work or request a Child Care Leave of Absence.

Arrangements for a gradual return to work can be discussed with the employee’s unit supervisor to ease the transition back to work. For more information, see Return to Work.

Do childbirth or adoption qualify for FMLA leave?

Birth of an employee's child, care for a newborn child and placement of a child with an employee for adoption or foster care are all considered FMLA-qualifying events.
Department Administrators' Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to do to process Leave of Absence?

Refer to the Checklist section on this website. Choose the appropriate checklist based on the type of leave needed.

Where can I find Leave of Absence forms?

Faculty Member Leave of Absence Request Form

Who can I go to with questions about Leave of Absence process?

For more information, or for questions specific to your situation, contact:

Shared Services Center

Telephone: (734) 615-2000, Email: [email protected].

Central HR Campuses Contacts

Ann Arbor Campus: (734) 763-2387, Michigan Medicine: (734) 647-5538, Flint Campus: (810) 762-3150, Dearborn Campus: (313) 593-5190

Central Payroll and Timekeeping Contacts

For Sick and Vacation Accrual/Balance Questions send email to [email protected] or call (734) 615-2000, option 2.

Do I need to contact the employee while on a Leave of Absence?

It is recommended that the supervisor stay in contact with the employee on an on-going basis.

If a leave is put on the system retroactively, when are the employees charged for the benefits?

If the effective date of the leave is less than 30 days in the past, the employee is charged the premiums. If the effective date of a leave of absence is more than 30 days retroactive, departments should contact the Shared Service Center to determine if benefit premiums will be charged to the department or to the employee.

What if an employee needs an extension of a Leave of Absence?

Staff members may be eligible for extensions to Leaves of Absence according to the regulations provided under specific types of leaves. A staff member’s request for an extension must be submitted to the appropriate Human Resources Office at least two weeks before the initial leave expires. A leave extension must be requested by the employee to their department who will submit the Leave of Absence extension request to the appropriate Human Resources Office for processing.

How do I return an employee from a Leave of Absence?

Complete a PAR transaction "Process Return from Unpaid Leave or Work Break."

Human Resources University of Michigan

Frequently Asked Questions About Leaves of Absence

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Leaves of Absence

Staff Human Resources

Frequently Asked Questions About Leaves of Absence

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Leaves of Absence

Staff Human Resources

Stay informed with UHR News