Section 4 - Leaves Of Absence

4-1 Personal Leave
4-2 Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)
4-3 New York State Paid Family Leave
4-4 Military Leave
4-5 Family Military Leave
4-6 Blood Donation Leave
4-7 Bone Marrow Donation Leave

4-1 Personal Leave

Administrators may be granted a personal leave of absence without pay for professional development purposes.

Administrators who have been employed with the University for six (6) or more years, are eligible to take a leave of absence for up to one (1) year and must receive formal approval from their supervisors. 

Administrators who take a personal leave of absence for up to one month, will maintain their medical insurance, life insurance, and disability benefits, along with all seniority accruals such as vacation, sick leave, retirement, salary continuation, etc. Should an Administrator’s personal  leave extend beyond one month, they will be eligible for COBRA provided they pay the full cost of the premiums in effect at the time of the leave.  Other benefits such as Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance, Tuition Remission, seniority accruals such as vacation, sick leave, retirement, salary continuation, etc., will be suspended until the employee’s return from their personal leave of absence.

Faculty should refer to the University Statutes for eligible leaves of absence.

Union members should refer to their respective Collective Bargaining Agreements for an unpaid personal leave eligibility.

4-2 Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)

Employees may be entitled to a leave of absence under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). This policy provides employees with information concerning FMLA eligibility, entitlements and obligations employees may have during such leaves. If employees have any questions concerning FMLA leave, contact [email protected].

4-3 New York State Paid Family Leave

Employees may be entitled to a leave of absence under New York State Paid Family Leave (PFL). This policy provides employees information concerning PFL eligibility, entitlements and obligations employees may have during such leaves. If employees have any questions concerning PFL leave, contact [email protected].

Employees can access the complete New York State Paid Family Leave Policy for more information. 

4-4 Military Leave

If employees are called into active military service or enlist in the uniformed services, they will be eligible to receive an unpaid military leave of absence. To be eligible for military leave, employees must provide advance notice of service obligations, unless they are prevented from providing such notice by military necessity, or it is otherwise impossible or unreasonable to provide such notice. Provided the absence does not exceed applicable statutory limitations, employees will retain reemployment rights and accrue seniority and benefits in accordance with applicable laws. Employees should contact the Office of Human Resources Management at 718-817-4930 or via email at [email protected] for further information about eligibility for Military Leave.

If employees are required to attend yearly Reserves or National Guard duty, they can apply for an unpaid military leave of absence not to exceed the number of days allowed by law (including travel). They should provide management with as much advance notice of their need for military leave as possible so that Fordham University can maintain proper coverage while employees are away.

Additionally, the Civilian Reservist Emergency Workforce (CREW) Act, provides full-time reservists of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with the same rights and protections provided to employees on a military leave who are deployed to disasters, emergencies, or critical trainings on behalf of FEMA. It provides protection from discrimination, penalization, or loss of employee benefits because of their deployment.

4-5 Family Military Leave

Employees who work an average of at least 20 hours-per-week and are spouses of military members generally are entitled to up to ten (10) days of unpaid leave during any period when the spouse in the military is on leave from active duty. Prior notice is requested for staffing reasons. Employees will not be retaliated against for exercising their rights under this policy.

Leave runs concurrently with FMLA Qualifying Exigency leave to the extent both are applicable.

4-6 Blood Donation Leave

Employees who work an average of at least 20 hours per week are eligible for up to three (3) hours of unpaid leave in any 12-month period for donating blood. Employees must provide advance notice of at least three (3) working days of their intention to avail themselves of this leave, except in emergency situations. Employees may use accrued paid time off for this purpose.

4-7 Bone Marrow Donation Leave

Employees who work 20 or more hours per week are entitled to up to three (3) consecutive days  of unpaid leave for the purpose of donating bone marrow. Verification of donation and the length of necessary leave may be required by the University. Reasonable notice of leave must be provided. Employees may use accrued paid time off for this purpose.