We are writing to inform you that UC President Mark Yudof has signed the new Absence from Work Policy with an effective date of June 1, 2010.
As you may recall, the updated policy revises seven current policies related to leaves (PPSM 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46) and consolidates them into a single, comprehensive policy called Absence from Work. The changes were adopted after a University-wide review period which included an opportunity for staff input. It includes a number of enhancements intended to be responsive to employee work and life needs by providing increased flexibility in the use of accrued leave. The most significant change within the new policy is an expansion of an employee's ability to use accrued sick leave for certain life events. These events include parental bonding leave, leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act and bereavement leave.
Highlights are noted below:
. Allows an employee to use up to 30 days of accrued sick leave to care for and bond with a newborn, adopted, or foster-care child.
. Increases from 30 days to 12 weeks the amount of sick leave an employee may use during a family and medical leave to address a serious health condition of the employee, a spouse or domestic partner, a child or a parent.
. Increases from 5 to 10 days the amount of sick leave that an employee may use in the event of the death of a family or household member.
. Allows for the reinstatement of accrued sick leave for re-employed staff members, if the employee returns to work at UC within 90 days after separation (previously 15 days)
. Allows use of sick leave in order to donate bone marrow (up to 5 days) or organs for transplant (up to 30 days).
. The inclusion of newly enacted Military Caregiver Leave and Qualifying Exigency Leave.
. The inclusion of a new section containing a variety of leaves under California Law that are offered to accommodate life event circumstances.
The updated Absence from Work Policy applies to Professionals and Support Staff (PSS), Managers and Senior Professionals (PSS) and Senior Management Group members (SMG). Please note that any similar policy for exclusively represented employees would be subject to collective bargaining requirements.
Campus briefings on the Absence from Work Policy for managers and supervisors are being scheduled and additional information will be forthcoming from our offices.
To read the full policy, please visit the Personnel Policies for Staff Members on the At Your Service website. If you should have any questions, please contact your Staff HR Partner.
