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Time Away From Work

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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:

NEW: Staff Paid Parental Leave

As of July 1, 2022, 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.

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).

COVID-Related Sick Leave Information: University leadership have elected to take the following actions specifically with regard to leave related to illness (for self or family). These practices and exceptions will be in place effective immediately and continue through JUNE 30, 2023. They will be regularly reviewed and assessed and may end at any time the university deems the crisis has passed, or be edited and extended as needed.

Staff will be allotted an additional ten (10) days of sick leave if they exhaust their current available sick leave bank due to extended illness

(updated Jan 2022) Staff may use one initial day of their sick leave bank; additional days to care for sick family should be accounted for with vacation or personal days;

(updated 2021) A doctor's note is not be required to use sick leave, however, if you are out of work because you have been quarantined due to possible exposure to COVID19 or have tested positive for COVID19 yourself a release to return to work is required prior to your return to campus. This release can be from a treating physician or from our Occupational Health Nurse through LVHN, Christine Wolfe.  If you are requesting the use of additional sick leave please complete this self-disclosure/certification form in order to track sick leave usage and arrangements. 

Remember: The goal of Lehigh’s COVID-19 response is to reduce spread of the virus. If you are sick, stay home.  If you are caring for someone in your home who is potentially contagious - stay home. Please do not bring children - sick or well - to your workplace. While the WHO and CDC have indicated children do not suffer the effects of the virus, they can transmit the virus to others. Consult with your personal physician about your individual health decisions. Managers who observe employees exhibiting symptoms of illness may send those employees home to ensure they care for themselves and avoid exposing other employees to illness.

Vacation

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.