Mission Leave Policy for Administrators - Pilot

Policy Statement

Fordham University encourages all its benefited Administrators to voluntarily participate, with pay, in university sponsored mission related community engagement activities and retreats that occur during regularly scheduled workdays.

Reason for the Policy

In order to promote the mission and vision of Fordham as a Jesuit university, the University encourages its members to deepen their understanding of Ignatian spirituality, as well as to walk with the poor, the marginalized, and those seeking justice, to accompany our young people in building a future of hope and to collaborate for the protection and renewal of creation. This policy encourages our benefited Administrators to participate in university sponsored mission related activities, and it encourages us to understand the University’s mission, to live out its mission of service to others, and to reflect on ways to engage the broader community.

Voluntary participation in these programs strengthens inter-departmental relationships and builds community relationships while addressing the needs of the broader community.

Responsible University Office

Division of Mission Integration and Ministry and Office of Human Resources Management

Applicability of the Policy

This policy applies to all full-time administrators and part-time benefited administrators working a minimum of 20 hours in a week. To be eligible, an administrator needs to be in good standing (no disciplinary actions on file for the past year and must have met or exceeded performance expectations in their last performance evaluation) with the University, have successfully completed their introductory period and been employed with Fordham for at least two (2) years.

Temporary, contract and hourly employees are not eligible for Mission Leave.

Policy Text

Types of Leave

The University recognizes different types of voluntary activities under this policy:

  1. Mission and Community service activities, defined as community engagement activities, or programs, that are sponsored, endorsed or conducted within the Center for Community Engaged Learning and/or Campus Ministry.
  2. University sponsored or endorsed spiritual retreats within the department of Campus Ministry or the Division of Mission Integration and Ministry.
  3. University sponsored or endorsed activities (for example, activities through Global Outreach; or other mission-related activities sponsored by other University Clinics, Centers or Departments).

Mission Leave

Full-time administrators, and part-time benefited Administrators working a minimum of 20 hours in a week, are entitled up to five days (35 hours) of Mission Leave during scheduled work hours over a 2-year period. Part time Administrators are eligible to receive a prorated amount of leave for participating in university approved activities during scheduled work hours. Administrators must successfully complete their introductory period and be in good standing (as defined above) with the University to access this benefit.

The time taken for this purpose will not be counted against an employee’s vacation, personal or sick leave. Any time spent volunteering that extends beyond an employee’s normal work day is not counted as paid Mission Leave. Employees wishing to participate for a longer period of time or more often in mission and volunteering leaves, may only do so with the prior written approval of their supervisor with concurrence of the area Vice President or the Office of the Provost, and must use accrued vacation or personal leave.

Unused Mission Leave cannot be accumulated from year to year, and it is not transferable to another Administrator. Employees are not entitled to extra compensation in lieu of unused Mission Leave, and unused Mission Leave is not paid out if an employee separates from the University. Mission Leave will be paid at the employee’s current base salary.

Approval Process for Administrators

Eligible Administrators must provide reasonable notice to management prior to their use of Mission Leave and are required to complete an Electronic Authorization Form to receive written approval from their supervisor, the Division of Mission Integration and Ministry and the Office of Human Resources Management. All requests for Mission Leave will be reviewed with careful consideration of both the needs and the priorities of the department.

University Mission Leave requires written supervisor approval (with concurrence of the area Vice President or the Office of the Provost) with reasonable notice (two weeks or more depending on departmental operational procedures - e.g. if a department/area requires that administrators request vacation time with a certain timeframe they could use the same guidance), subject to the following guidelines:

  1. The time at which an employee takes University Mission Leave during the calendar year shall be approved at the discretion of management and with particular regard for the needs and the priorities of the employee’s department. Mission Leave is to be scheduled in a manner that minimizes interruptions to the departmental operations.
  2. The Administrator will provide a written request to their supervisor with specific information on the activity, their role, the amount of time requested and supporting information for the Mission Leave.
  3. The supervisor will forward the approved request for University Mission Leave to the Division of Mission Integration and Ministry. Subsequently, upon their review and approval, the request will be sent to the Office of Human Resources Management for final review.

Administrators will be responsible for covering all expenses (travel, boarding, lodging, parking, etc.) related to their participation in the volunteer activities.

Eligibility Process for University Units/Departments

Clinics, Centers, or Departments at Fordham University that would like to determine if activities offered within their areas qualify for Mission Leave under this policy, are encouraged to contact the Division of Mission Integration and Ministry. (Please see information under “Contacts.”)

Definitions

Mission Leave does not apply to activities that fall within the scope of the employee’s job duties and responsibilities. Mission Leave also does not apply to mission-related conferences or seminars at which the employee is a delegate representing the University.

Examples of qualified uses for Mission Leave may include:

  • Participation in Urban Plunge.
  • Chaperoning a Global Outreach project.
  • Retreats sponsored by the Division of Mission Integration and Ministry.
  • Specific mission-related activities sponsored by University Clinics, Centers or Departments.

Examples of non-qualified uses for Mission Leave may include:

  • Attending a volunteer professional or personal interest conference.
  • Other personal volunteer activities or events.

Please contact the Division of Mission Integration and Ministry or the Office of Human Resources Management if further clarification is needed.

Contacts

Timothy R. Bouffard
Senior Advisor to the Vice President for Mission Integration and Ministry
Division of Mission Integration and Ministry
[email protected]
Office: (718) 817-3012

Gülay Siouzios
Director of Labor and Employee Relations
Office of Human Resources Management
[email protected]
Office: (718) 817-3897

Revision History

The Mission Leave Pilot takes effect in January 2023 and does not replace any prior policy.