Leave of Absence Without Pay

POLICY STATEMENT

DSU employees are entitled to a leave of absence without pay in accordance with the established procedures.

DEFINITIONS

Employee: This generally includes faculty and staff employees who are working on paid appointments by the University. It generally excludes students or temporary employees. For specific information on who is considered an employee, contact the Human Resources Department. 

Supervisor: An employee designated by management who exercises major supervisory functions over another employee or employees. These functions include hiring, evaluating, assigning work, and disciplining employees.

PROCEDURES and RESPONSIBILITIES

A leave of absence without pay may be granted to regular employees for a period of up to six (6) calendar months at the discretion of the employees' responsible Vice-President. Leave may be granted for, but not limited to, medical disability of employees or their family members (See Family and Medical Leave Policy), enrollment in educational course work relating to the employees' position, professional development beneficial to the employee and the University or family emergency. The responsible Vice-President must consider the individual circumstances, including the impact the leave of absence will have on the department, the specialization and/or critical nature of the position, and the practicality of replacing the employee for the period of the leave of absence. The leave will not be granted unless the employee intends to return to work at the University at the expiration of the leave of absence.

Service time in the Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi or the Optional Retirement Plan is not earned for any period of leave of absence without pay.

Also, personal and major medical leave days are not earned during the leave of absence; however, earned personal and major medical leave credits on record at the beginning of the leave of absence are not forfeited provided the employee returns to duty immediately following the leave of absence. Insurance coverage may be retained during the leave provided that prior arrangements are made through the Human Resources Department and that the total premiums for coverage are paid by the employee.

The following procedure is followed:

1. Employee requests by letter to the department/division head with approval by the responsible Vice-President.
2. If approved, department/division head processes the Change of Status Form with the approved letter attached to remove employees from the payroll.
3. Department/division unit head processes the request and notifies the employee of the decision.
4. If approved, employee contacts the Human Resources Department about continuation of benefits during the approved leave of absence.
5. Upon return to work, the department/division head completes the Change of Status Form to indicate the employees' return from leave and to reinstate employee to the payroll.
6. Upon return to work, employee contacts the Human Resources Department about reinstatement of benefits.

RELATED DOCUMENTS

• Board of Trustees Policies and Bylaws, Miss. Code Ann., Sec. 25-3-93