Sick Leave

The purpose of sick leave is to allow eligible employees to recover from illness, injury, or disability of either themselves or an immediate family member that prevents performance of usual duties.

 

SHRA/CSS/DMSS Employees

Permanent and time-limited employees regularly scheduled to work at least 20 hours or more per week, and who are in pay status for at least one-half of the working days and holidays in a month, are eligible to earn leave.

Permanent and time-limited full-time employees regularly scheduled to work 40 hours per week earn 8 hours of sick leave per month.

Permanent and time-limited employees who are regularly scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week earn leave on a pro-rated basis according to their number of scheduled work hours per week.

Refer to the Sick Leave Policy for additional details.

 

EHRA Non-Faculty Employees

EHRA Non-Faculty and SAAO Tier II employees in a leave earning position are entitled to 12 days of sick leave per calendar year. The amount of leave is adjusted proportionately for part-time employees in covered positions who work half-time or more. Leave shall be earned on a monthly basis. The monthly earnings amount is equal to one-twelfth of the leave accrual rate for each month the employee works or is on an approved leave with pay for at least half of the working days and holidays in a month.

EHRA Non-Faculty SAAO Tier 1 employees in a leave earning position are entitled to 26 days of vacation leave and 12 days of sick leave per calendar year.

Refer to Employment Policy for Employees Exempt from the State Human Resources Act for additional details.

 

Faculty

Twelve-month faculty in a leave earning position are entitled to 12 days of sick leave per calendar year. The amount of leave is adjusted proportionately for part-time faculty members in covered positions who work half-time or more. Leave is earned on a monthly basis. The monthly earnings amount is equal to one-twelfth of the leave accrual rate for each month the faculty member works or is on an approved leave with pay at least half of the working days and holidays in a month. Refer to the Leave Policy for Twelve-Month Faculty for additional details.

Nine-month faculty do not earn sick leave but may qualify for paid leave under the Faculty Serious Illness & Parental Leave policy.

 

Use of Leave

Sick leave may be used for:

  • Illness or injury
  • Medical appointments
  • Temporary disability due to childbirth
  • To care for an immediate family member (see policy for definition of immediate family member)
  • Death in immediate family
  • Adoption of a child (up to 30 days)

To avoid abuse of sick leave privileges, a statement of a medical doctor or other acceptable proof may be required.

If an employee, or the employee’s child, parent, or spouse, has a serious illness that qualifies under the Family and Medical Leave Act, the provisions of that policy shall be followed.  Refer to the Family and Medical Leave Act for additional details.

If an employee does not have enough leave to cover a prolonged illness (of self or to care for a parent, child, spouse, or dependent living in the household who has a prolonged illness), the employee may qualify to receive Voluntary Shared Leave.

 

Retirement Credit

Employees enrolled in the TSERS retirement plan are allowed one month of credit for every 20 days of unused sick leave, which can serve as creditable service towards retirement eligibility. For any part of 20 days left over, one additional month is allowed provided the remaining portion is at least one hour.