Overview

The following is an overview of types of leave benefits offered by the University and how they may be utilized. For more information related to types of leave (i.e. sick leave, vacation leave, etc.) as well as procedures for work-related injury or illness (Workers Compensation) and workplace accommodations, please see the information accessible through the "Leave Quick Links" sidebar.

In general, employees will be required to use accrued leave before approval of leave without pay. In certain circumstances, there are other leave procedures that may apply related to a family or medical-related leave, parental leave following birth or adoption of a child, or a personal leave of absence.

Non-Exempt Benefit-Eligible Employees

For non-exempt benefit-eligible employees, accrued leave, with the exception of the discretionary day, may be used and recorded in quarter-hour (0.25) increments. The discretionary day may only be taken in full-scheduled-day increments. 

Exempt Benefit-Eligible Employees

For exempt benefit-eligible employees, accrued leave, with the exception of the discretionary day, may be used and recorded in four (4) or eight (8)-hour increments. The exceptions to this policy are Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), donor leave, and jury duty leave, which may be taken in as little as quarter-hour (0.25) increments. The discretionary day may only be taken in full-scheduled-day increments.

Employees Transferring to Another State Agency

Accrued leave is transferred when an employee separates from one state agency and begins employment at another state agency on the following work day; the employee's discretionary day, accrued vacation, and/or sick leave shall be transferred with the employee. If the employee has a compensatory leave balance at the time of transfer, the employee will be paid the compensatory leave balance by the agency from which the employee is transferring.

Leave Benefits for Eligible Employees

If an employee is requesting leave, one or more of the following benefits or entitlement may apply (see 鈥淟eave Quick Links鈥 sidebar for more detail):

Donor Leave

Donor Leave provides paid leave for approved recovery time for state employees who have donated organs, tissue, bone marrow, blood or blood products.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

FMLA provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid job-protection for family or medical-related leave lasting more than three (3) consecutive days or on an ongoing basis.

Holidays

The University provides official paid holidays for eligible employees.

Long-Term Disability (LTD)
LTD is a partial income replacement benefit for eligible employees who are unable to work due to a qualifying long-term illness, injury or accident.

 

Military Leave

Each employee in a regular position who is a member of a reserve component of the military service of the United States or National Guard shall be granted a maximum of 30 working days (240 hours) of military leave with pay for active duty within each 12-month period beginning October 1 and ending September 30 of the following year. In addition, benefit-eligible employees of the state of Kansas who serve in the military reserves and are called to full-time military duty, mobilized and deployed for more than 30 consecutive days, are eligible to receive a one-time activation gross payment of $1,500 and the difference between the employee鈥檚 military base pay and the employee鈥檚 state of Kansas base pay when the military base pay is less than the state of Kansas base pay, not to exceed $1,000 gross payment per pay period.

Paid Parental Leave (PPL)

PPL provides paid leave for a designated period of time for employees requesting parental leave related to birth or adoption of a child (up to six (6) years old).

Personal Leave of Absence

The Personal Leave of Absence process applies for instances when an employee is requesting leave for more than two (2) consecutive weeks and they are not eligible, do not qualify, or have exhausted other benefits or entitlements.

Shared Leave

Shared Leave provides paid leave for the employee or for the care of a family member with a serious, extreme, or life-threatening illness, injury, impairment, or physical or mental condition.

Sick Leave

Sick Leave is accrued paid leave for the employee鈥檚 own or an eligible family members illness or injury, doctor鈥檚 appointment and other absences as outlined on the Sick Leave website.

Vacation Leave

Vacation Leave is accrued paid leave for the purpose of rest, relaxation and to attend to personal affairs.

Workers Compensation

The section provides instruction for employees should they be injured while working or suffer a work-related illness.

Workplace Accommodations for Employees

The section provides information related to requesting reasonable accommodation when an employee has a limitation and needs an accommodation to meet the essential functions of the employee鈥檚 job.

Additional Types of Leave

This section provides information about other leave types offered to eligible employees: Disaster Service Volunteer Leave, Discretionary Leave, Donor Leave, Educational Release Time, Faculty Sabbatical Leave, Funeral/Bereavement Leave, Inclement Weather, Jury Duty, Leave without Pay, and Leave to Vote.

Who to Contact

HR Total Rewards Team
totalrewards@wichita.edu
Human Resources Logo

 

SME: FK

Revised: 03/10/2023 SA