A Leave of Absence is an approved absence of three days (72 hours) or more due to the following reasons which can include, but are not limited to: medical, family, short term disability, parental leaves, military or personal. The information below is to provide you with the steps involved to access the leave benefits you are entitled to for an approved absence, as well as to ensure an efficient process based on your employee role. A leave is made up of three components: type, approval process, and pay continuation.
Type of Leave
Your Leave of Absence (LOA) will be determined based on eligibility, which is defined in USNH Policy and/or your collective bargaining agreement (if applicable.) The various types of LOA's that USNH Benefits administer are: Family and Medical Leave (FMLA), Short Term Disability, Parental Leave, Long Term Disability, Military, Family Care, Jury Duty or Witness, Workers Compensation and Personal Leaves.
- If you are unsure about what leave type would apply and/or eligibility, we recommend that you reach out to the USNH Benefits team by dialing 2525 on campus or submitting a help ticket for a review of paid time off benefits available for you, prior to submitting your request
How you are paid during your Leave
Whether you are paid or not during your leave depends on the type of leave you are approved for and on the paid time off benefits that are available to you and the type of leave you are approved for.
- The FMLA leave type is an unpaid leave that provides job protection for a period of time, If you are eligible for FMLA leave protection, this will run concurrent with any other approved paid leave.
Leave of Absence process
Leave of Absence requests are initiated in Workday. Instructions can be found on the USNH Workday Resources
- After completing the Workday task you will be directed to Sun Life, our insurance provider who reviews and approves leave types, to complete the application process. (Note: only UNH AAUP and Lecturers should contact the USNH Benefits team, not Sun Life, after completing the Workday task, for assistance.)
Stay in touch! The Sun Life claims examiner will communicate with you in writing to verify your leave status and to notify you of any additional documentation needed. The USNH Benefits team will be copied on these status updates and will share relevant updates with the HR Business Partner and Direct Chair / Supervisor to keep them informed. Any of these individuals may also contact you for more information such as ongoing assignments, return to work requirements, etc. during an approved LOA.
- Status updates from Sun Life do not include any personal or medical information related to the leave, only the status of applications, approvals, dates, etc.
- For grant funded positions, a finance representative may also be informed (along with the HR Business Partner and Supervisor) so they can manage funding.
USNH policy information regarding specific Leave of Absence
Information on Leaves not managed by USNH Benefits
