Note: The following information does not apply to faculty and staff who are eligible for short-term sick time, vacation or PTO. Employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement should check their contract for information about time off.
The state of Michigan’s Paid Medical Leave Act of 2018 (PMLA) requires employers to offer paid sick time to eligible employees as of March 29, 2019. For most faculty and staff, the university’s existing paid time off policies comply with or exceed the requirements. But for certain temporary and part-time regular staff who do not have access to short-term sick time, vacation or PTO, the PMLA provides a benefit of up to 40 hours of paid sick time per year.
Eligibility
To become eligible for paid sick time, you must meet the following criteria.
- You do not already receive at least 40 hours of paid time off per year under other university policies, including short-term sick time, vacation and PTO
- You worked at least 25 hours per week on average at U-M during the previous calendar year (includes all positions; calculated over 52 weeks regardless of appointment duration)
Temporary and part-time regular staff are most likely to receive the paid sick time benefit. View a flow chart that illustrates eligibility for paid sick time.
Eligibility will be assessed every January 1 based on your hours worked in the previous calendar year, or with each new qualifying appointment within the calendar year. Newly eligible staff will receive an email notification following the January 1 assessment each year.
Amount of Available Paid Sick Time
The annual amount of paid sick time will be 40 hours, pro-rated by your date of hire and any other paid time off for which you are eligible. The 40 hours do not accrue but are provided as a full balance upon meeting eligibility criteria.
You will retain access to your bank of paid sick time during the calendar year, unless you move to a different position that provides sufficient paid time off under the PMLA. Unused hours will not roll over at the end of the calendar year.
Use
The university provides paid sick time in the following circumstances.
- You become unable to work due to a disabling illness or injury
- To cover absences for preventive medical and dental appointments
- To care for an incapacitated, ill or injured family member (defined as a spouse or other qualified adult; the child, sibling, parent, grandparent, grandchild or other individual whose care is the responsibility of the staff member, spouse, or other qualified adult)
- For purposes relating to domestic violence or sexual assault situations (for example, a court appearance) - may use sick time reporting codes SKF, SCK or SCL
- For purposes relating to closure of your primary worksite or child’s school by order of a public health official due to a public health emergency (note: does not include weather-related closure) - may use sick time reporting codes SKF or SCL
When requesting sick time, you are expected to comply with your unit’s time reporting and approval procedures. In addition, as a temporary staff member you may request paid sick time only for hours you are scheduled to work.
Your supervisor may require you to provide documentation to support your absence, such as a physician's statement, court order or police report.
For time reporting purposes, use the code SPL - (2018 Act) Sick Paid Leave to report paid sick time. Your available bank of paid sick time will display as “Pd Sick-MI” on your timesheet and paystub. Paid sick time should be reported on the timesheet for and will be charged to the department where the individual uses the hours, even if he or she gained eligibility through a position in a different department.
View a fact sheet and frequently asked questions about the new paid sick time benefit.
Limitations and Exclusions
FLSA exempt employees and individuals covered by a collective bargaining agreement are not eligible for paid sick time under the PMLA. If you qualify for paid sick time due hours worked in a combination of appointments, you may only use paid sick time on your eligible position. (For example, if you hold a temporary appointment in addition to a bargained-for appointment, you may only use paid sick time on your temporary position.)