Disability, Long-term, Short-term,
Income Protection, Sick Leave
Clerical Union Employees | Human Resources

Information from this section comes directly from the clerical union contract. View the entire document (PDF, 101K).

Except where otherwise noted in this Article, a copy of the request for leave, approved by the supervisor, must be submitted to the Office of Human Resources. The reason for leave must be included in the request. When at all possible to do so, a written request for any leave of absence will be provided by the employee at least two (2) weeks prior to the start of the leave. When at all possible to do so, extension of leave must be requested in writing at least two (2) weeks before the leave is scheduled to end. Unless otherwise noted, employees on leave must pay the employee contributions/premiums for fringe benefits they wish to continue.

Section 7. Sick Leave

A sick leave of absence, not to exceed one (1) year, may be granted to an employee with less than two (2) years’ seniority. An employee with two (2) or more years’ seniority may be granted two (2) years. A sick leave shall not be denied without good cause. The supervisor may request the employee to furnish a health statement from the employee’s physician to help evaluate the justification for the requested leave. A copy of any such request and the health statement shall be sent to the Office of Human Resources. The sick leave may be extended due to extenuating circumstances. The request for an extension must be submitted to the Director of Human Resources for approval. Prior to returning to work, the employee will be required to obtain a medical statement from his treating physician stating that he is capable of performing his duties in a normal manner on an on-going basis. Before the employee reports to his supervisor for work, the statement must be submitted to the Office of Human Resources to determine the validity of the statement. If no evidence exists to suggest otherwise, the employee may report to work. A sick leave shall be without pay and without loss of seniority. Upon return, the employee shall return to the same job.

For any planned (non-emergency) sick leave or use of annual leave for medical reasons, the employee must give two (2) weeks written notice to the supervisor or as much advance notice as given by his physician, whichever is greater.

In the event an employee desires to return sooner than the original date of return, the employee shall give at least two (2) weeks’ notice to the Office of Human Resources in writing.

If an employee returns from a medical leave after 18 months, he can return to his prior position or a different position within the same labor grade, in the same or different department if he is qualified or can be trained within 45 calendar days.

Article XI, Section 4 Long Term Disability Benefits

Employees with two (2) or more years of service who become disabled should apply for insurance under this section. An application for total disability may be obtained from the Office of Human Resources.

Disability insurance and disability payments are available without cost to all Class A and full-time Class F, G and H employees with two (2) or more years’ service. If a covered employee is disabled, the University will make a payment to the employee equivalent to his salary beginning the fifth week of absence and will continue to do so until either the employee is no longer disabled or until the effective date that the insurance company begins making disability payments to the employee, whichever occurs first. The employee must make a reasonable effort to become eligible for insurance company payments. Determination of eligibility for University salary disability payments will be made on the basis of the treating physician’s statement of claim unless the University elects to obtain the opinion of a physician selected by the University at its own expense. If the two physicians disagree, they will select a third physician whose opinion will govern. The definition of total disability will be that specified by the insurance company. The University will mail the employee’s check on the first and sixteenth of each month. The University will mail the sick leave form in order to expedite processing the employee’s request to receive disability protection compensation as early as possible.

If the disability extends beyond six months from the first date of absence due to the disability, payment of insurance benefits becomes the responsibility of the disability insurance carrier in accordance with its contract with the University. The benefit is 60% of the employee’s monthly salary at the start of the disability, including payments from Social Security and Worker’s Compensation, but subject to certain minimum and maximum limits outlined in the policy. Additional information including additional benefit payments, work transition benefit and the survivor income benefit are detailed in Certificate of Coverage booklet distributed to all eligible employees or click here to view this certificate booklet on line (PDF, 136K).

Section 5. Short-Term Disability/Income Protection

Employees with one (1) year of service, but not yet eligible for the long term disability benefits in Section 4 above, should apply for income protection under this section. An application for income protection may be obtained from the Office of Human Resources.

The University will provide income protection to Class A and full-time Class F, G and H employees with one (1) or more years of service. Effective October 1, 1997, when an employee is forced to be absent from work due to illness for more than four (4) consecutive weeks, the University will pay the employee 40% of his weekly salary or $200 per week whichever is greater per occurrence from the fifth week of consecutive absence due to illness through the twenty-sixth week of consecutive absence due to illness. The University will mail the checks to the employee on the first and sixteenth of each month. Mental illness and illnesses for which the employee is being compensated under provisions of worker’s compensation are specifically excluded from coverage under this section. Eligibility for payment of Income Protection under this section will be determined by a physician selected by the University, unless the University waives this right and accepts the treating physician’s statement of claim. If an employee becomes eligible for disability benefits under the provision in Section 4, then this income protection section will not apply. The University will mail the sick leave form in order to expedite processing the employee’s request to receive income protection compensation as early as possible.

Section 6. Payment of Insurance Premiums While On Leave of Absence

A. The University will pay the life, disability, and its share of medical insurance premiums, as specified under Article XI, Section 2, for employees on maternity, paternity, and sick leave for a period of up to four (4) months after the leave begins.

B. The University will not be obligated to either pay or continue insurance benefits for an employee who is on any leave(s) longer than one (1) year.

C. For those employees for whom the University is continuing insurance benefits on a reimbursement basis, the employee agrees to reimburse the University for the premium(s) no later than the 10th of the month for which the premium(s) is applicable. Failure to make such payment in a timely manner will eliminate any obligation by the University to continue the employee’s insurance coverage(s) effective with the month for which payment is not received on a timely basis.

Human Resources | Benefits | Clerical Union Employees