Human Resources 
Policies & Procedures 
Illinois Institute of Technology		 Policy No. C. 7.00 

Date of Issue 8/97
 

Subject: Leaves of Absence - Non-FMLA

It is IIT policy to grant employees leaves of absence under certain circumstances so as to protect their benefits accruing from seniority and continuous service. This policy addresses unpaid absences of more than 3 days not covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). (For policy with regard to FMLA leaves or absences of shorter duration, see Short-Term Absences, C. 5.00 or FMLA Leave of Absence, C. 6.00.) In no case can the duration of total absence from work exceed 12 months. 
 
7.01 Subject to departmental staffing needs, leaves of absence may be granted to employees who have completed at least one year of service. A "Request for Leave of Absence" form, available in Human Resources, must be completed prior to all absences. Leaves are granted for a maximum of 90 days at a time and are subject to renewal based on continuing demonstration of need. Employees requesting leaves under "a" and "c" below must first draw accrued vacation hours down to a balance not to exceed 15 days. Pay is then continued only if the employee chooses to exhaust additional vacation time, personal business days or the floating holiday. Sick leave is not available for personal leaves in "a". Leaves of absence may be granted for the following purposes: 
 
a. Personal Leave 

A personal leave of absence may be granted an employee in cases where an extended period of time away from the job will be in the best interest of the employee and IIT. Each application for personal leave will be decided on its own merits with special sensitivity to even-handed, equitable consideration to each employee applying for such a leave. 

An employee taking personal leave not to exceed eight (8) weeks within any 12 month period will be returned to the employee's same position or to an equivalent position, at the election of IIT, unless the employee would have been terminated in the absence of any leave (e.g. layoff, downsizing, or termination of a temporary job).
 
b. Military Leave

An employee who enters the Armed Forces of the United States, or who performs active or inactive duty with the Armed Forces while a member of a Reserve component of the National Guard, will be granted a Military Leave of Absence, in accordance with applicable law. An employee whose period of active service exceeds two (2) weeks will not receive his/her salary during military leave. A National Guard or reservist employee who is granted a leave of absence not exceeding two (2) weeks per calendar year to perform active duty for training will receive his/her regular salary for the period of active duty less the amount of his/her military pay. If the employee chooses, he/she may instead draw vacation pay. If drawing regular pay, the employee must immediately turn in to the Payroll department a copy of the military pay voucher such that the subsequent pay check is negatively adjusted by the appropriate dollar recovery amount. Duration of leave and reinstatement rights are governed by federal law.
 
c. Extended Leave 

An employee who has exhausted 12 weeks of FMLA leave (refer to Policy C. 6.00) may apply for an extension of leave of absence or a leave for another reason normally qualifying under Policy C. 6.00. Granting of leave under this policy does not guarantee reinstatement to a position with IIT.
 
7.02 Requests for any leave of absence or an extension of leave should be submitted in writing to the employee's department head at least thirty (30) days prior to commencement of the leave period or the extension. The department head will forward the request to Human Resources recommending approval or disapproval. The final decision concerning the request will be made by Human Resources.
 
7.03 Two weeks prior written notice of intent to return must be received and approved by Human Resources before returning to work. If an employee fails to return to work at the conclusion of his/her Leave of Absence or total leave endures over 12 months, the leave will be canceled and the employee considered to have resigned. There is no entitlement to severance pay, pay for personal business days or the personal floating holiday. The effective date of resignation will be the last day worked. 
 
7.04 Employees returning from leave shall retain credit for all prior service but will not earn any vacation pay, sick leave, or other paid time off while on unpaid leave. IIT also does not contribute towards the cost of benefits. Continuation of benefits is contingent upon arrangements being made and timely receipt of payments to Human Resources. 
 
7.05 No employee may engage in gainful employment while on authorized leave unless permission to engage in such employment is granted in advance by IIT in writing.

 

 
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