The University of Louisville’s policy implements the provisions of the Federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993. The policy provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave of absence in a 12-month period as required by FMLA upon request by an eligible employee for:
- the birth and first year care of a child;
- the adoption or foster care placement of a child in the employee’s home;
- the care of a spouse, child or parent with a serious medical condition;
- the employee’s own serious health condition.
Eligibility
The faculty member must have been employed by the University for at least 12 months and for at least 1,250 hours during the preceding 12 months to be eligible.
Notice of Leave
The faculty member seeking family and medical leave shall give the University 30 days advanced notice when it is foreseeable. When advanced notice is not possible, notice should be given as soon as the need for leave becomes known to the faculty member. Request for leave due to serious medical conditions must be supported by a written medical certification. Request for FMLA leave and medical certification shall be submitted on forms provided by the University.
If the department chair believes that a faculty member is presently on leave for reasons which qualify for leave under the policy, the department chair should verify with the faculty member sufficient information to confirm this belief. After obtaining facts relating to the leave, the department chair through the dean should recommend to the Provost that the faculty member should be placed on family and medical leave. Leave must be designated as family and medical leave prior to the faculty member’s return from leave.
Pay Status
Although family medical leave is unpaid leave, faculty members may receive pay under Board of Trustees policy.
The President and Provost have been authorized to approve medical leave with pay for up to one-half year of base salary for Board-appointed faculty, provided that the Request for Family Medical Leave and Health Care Provider Certification provide sufficient documentation for such leave. (Change requested by University Counsel Angela Koshewa)