Lehigh University provides eligible faculty and staff members with a variety of paid time off benefits to support a healthy work/life balance and to provide protection from financial hardship in the event of unanticipated absence. Eligibility for the following benefits varies by the type of position held and work schedule. You can determine your benefits eligibility here.
Select a type of leave from the following list to learn more:
- Staff Paid Parental Leave
- Bereavement/Funeral Leave
- Family and Medical Leave
- Holidays
- Jury Duty
- Leave of Absence
- Military Leave
- Paid Annual Leave In Lieu of Vacation
- Short Term Disability
- Sick Leave/Excused Absence
- Vacation
Staff Paid Parental Leave
Staff meeting eligibility requirements may take up to six consecutive weeks of paid leave in the first 12 months following the birth or adoption of a child. Learn More Here.
Bereavement/Funeral Leave
Lehigh provides benefits eligible faculty and staff members with up to five days paid leave in the event of the death of an immediate family member. Up to three days paid leave may be available following the death of a father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law. One day paid leave may be available to attend the funeral for grandparents, aunts, or uncles.
For additional information, see the Funeral Leave Policy.
Family and Medical Leaves
Lehigh University grants eligible faculty and staff members up to 12 weeks of family and medical leave during any twelve month period, in accordance with the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA). The leave may be paid, unpaid, or a combination of paid and unpaid, depending on the circumstances and as specified in the following policies:
Holidays
Staff - Lehigh provides staff members with 12 paid holidays each fiscal year. The schedule varies annually, and includes several floating holidays.
- 2024-2025 Holiday Schedule
- 2024-2025 Holiday Schedule for University Police and Powerhouse (24/7) Personnel
- 2025-2026 Holiday Schedule
- 2025-2026 Holiday Schedule for University Police and Powerhouse (24/7) Personnel
Centennial School Exempt Staff - Holidays are defined by the Centennial School calendar.
Faculty - Faculty holidays are determined by the academic calendar.
For additional information, see Holidays Policy.
Jury Duty
If a benefits eligible faculty or staff member is called for Jury Duty, Lehigh will pay the employee's base salary for up to two full weeks of jury service.
For additional information, see the Jury Duty Policy.
Leave of Absence
Staff - Lehigh University's benefits eligible staff members may be granted unpaid leaves of absence for up to six months to attend to personal matters. For additional information, see the Leave of Absence Policy.
Faculty - Leaves of absence and sabbaticals of faculty members are governed by Rules and Procedures of the Faculty.
Military Leave
If a benefits eligible faculty or staff member is an active member of the National Guard or military reserve, Lehigh will pay the difference between the employee's base salary and his/her military pay and allowances during the annual encampment, active-duty training, or call up.
For additional information, see the Military Leave Policy.
Paid Annual Leave in Lieu of Vacation
Lehigh provides ten days of paid annual leave in lieu of vacation to eligible full time Research Associates and Exempt Research Interns. The amount of leave provided to part time Research Associates and Exempt Research Interns is pro-rated based on the actual work schedule of the employee.
Short Term Disability Leave
Lehigh University provides eligible faculty and staff members with Short Term Disability benefits in the event of an illness or injury that requires absence from work for a period of more than 10 continuous work days. Read more here.
Sick Leave/Excused Absence
Sick leave and excused absence benefits are available to protect university employees in the event of unavoidable, short term absences. Illnesses or injuries requiring absence beyond 10 continuous work days may be covered by the Short Term Disability Plan.
For more information, see the Staff Sick Leave or Excused Absence Policy (Exempt and Nonexempt).
Staff - Lehigh provides vacation benefits to eligible staff members. Vacation accrual depends on the individual employee's length of service, work schedule, and position type.
For more information, see the Vacation Policy.
Faculty - Vacation for faculty members is determined by the academic calendar.