Leaves of Absence

Carnegie Mellon has many different types of leaves of absence to help people accommodate their needs. The eligibility requirements and compensation/benefits available differ.  These leaves include:

• Family and Medical Leave (see below)
• Disability Leave (Short-Term and Long-Term)
• Workers' Compensation (for work-related illnesses and injury)
• Personal Leave, Military Leave, Jury Duty Leave, and Bereavement Leave
  
• Faculty Professional Leave and Faculty Parental Leave

Note: Maternity leave after the birth of a child is covered concurrently under Short Term Disability and FMLA for staff, or as a Faculty Parental Leave for faculty.

Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for certain family and medical reasons (up to 26 weeks to care for a military servicemember injured in the line of duty).

• Employees who have worked at least 1,250 hours in the previous 12 months and have at least 50 Carnegie Mellon employees within 75 miles of their work location are eligible for FMLA coverage.
• Qualifying reasons for taking an FMLA leave include:
  
  • caring for a newly born or adopted child,
  • caring for yourself during a serious injury or illness, 
  • caring for a family member experiencing a serious injury or illness,
  • caring for an injured servicemember, or
  • circumstances arising from a family member being called to active duty.
• See the Department of Labor's FMLA Employee Rights and Responsibilities poster (.pdf) or their web page at http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/benefits-leave/fmla.htm for more information.

To apply for FMLA leave:

1. Notify your manager and complete the appropriate forms as listed below at least 30 days in advance of the leave (or with as much advance notice as possible).
2. Complete the Application for Family and Medical Leave of Absence form (.pdf) and the appropriate certification form:
   1. Certification for Employee’s OWn Serious Health Condition (.pdf)
   2. Certification for Family Member’s Serious Health Condition (.pdf)
   3. Certification for Serious Injury or Illness of Covered Servicemember (.pdf)
   4. Certification of Qualifying Exigency For Military Family (.pdf)
3. Give the materials to your manager at least 30 days before the leave is to begin (for anticipated absences).
4. Your manager should then return the materials to the Benefits Office.
5. Inform your manager of your intended date of return to work, if known.

Faculty are covered under a separate Faculty Parental Leave Policy upon the birth or adoption of a child.