Leave Without Pay

Purpose:

To ensure consistency and fairness in the review of all Leave Without Pay requests and to outline the criteria and procedures to be utilized in the application of the policy.

Scope:

All non-academic bargaining and non-bargaining employees, management and senior administrators, including Marine Institute, Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, and all agency employees.

Employees whose terms and conditions of employment are defined by the collective agreement between Memorial University and the Faculty Association (MUNFA) are not bound by the guidelines established under this policy.

Policy:

Recommendation
On the recommendation of the Department Head, and with the approval of the Director of Human Resources, Leave Without Pay, where operational requirements permit, may be granted for a period of up to six months. Requests for Leave Without Pay exceeding six months for medical or educational reasons, or other special circumstances, will be given consideration upon application to the Director of Human Resources.

Criteria
The criteria to be considered in granting any leave without pay include, but are not limited to:

• employee's length of service
• period of leave requested
• reason for the leave
• whether a replacement is required
• whether a replacement is available
• cost-benefit to the University
• benefits to the employee
• professional development opportunity
• operational requirements

An employee's request for Leave Without Pay will not be granted where the purpose of the leave is to pursue alternative employment, operate a private business or engage in any activity which contradicts the spirit and/or intent of this policy.

It is the responsibility of the Dean or Director of the respective Department/Division, or delegated Department Head, to review all requests for Leave Without Pay to ensure that they fall within the policy guidelines before submissions are made to the Department of Human Resources.

Secondment Leave
Requests by external organizations for the secondment of a University employee will be given consideration upon written request to the Director of Human Resources.

Benefits Coverage
During a leave of absence without pay for a period of less than one month, the employee must maintain coverage of the University's benefit plan. For periods of one month or more, coverage is optional. In this case, the cost for insured benefits will be paid fully by the employee. Arrangements for prepayment are to be made with the Department of Human Resources.