Extended Leave of Absence

Extended Leave Request Form

If you need assistance or have questions about leave of absences, feel free to call us at (352) 392-2477. We are here to help explain and identify resources to meet your needs.

Extended Leave

“Extended leave” refers to forms of leave, with or without pay, that last longer than 15 consecutive workdays. This type of leave can be taken for medical (self and family), parental, military, and personal reasons.

Please note: Using vacation leave and compensatory leave to cover an absence of more than 15 consecutive workdays for personal reasons does not qualify as “extended leave” as long as the employee has sufficient vacation and compensatory leave to remain in full pay status.

The University of Florida’s extended leave of absence policy meets the minimum requirements of the federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA).

Upon returning from an extended leave, including FMLA leave, employees will be reinstated to their original position or a position in the same classification, unless otherwise agreed upon in writing between the employee and the university.

Leave Options and Impact on FMLA Entitlement

During various forms of extended leaves of absence, employees may use their individually accrued paid leave, be in leave without pay status, maintain reduced work schedules, or take intermittent leave. All of these options will count against the 12 weeks of an employee’s FMLA entitlement. Overtime compensatory leave, if used, will not count toward the 12 weeks of FMLA entitlement.

It’s important to note that all leave types may impact benefits eligibility, including creditable service under the Florida Retirement System. It is recommended to check with UF Benefits regarding your unique situation before taking a leave of absence.

Employee Eligibility

With department approval, eligible employees may be granted up to six months of leave. Faculty, TEAMS, and OPS employees, including Post-Doctoral Associates, are eligible for up to 12 workweeks of FMLA leave once they have worked at least 12 months (need not be consecutive) and have also worked at least 1,250 hours during the 12 months prior to the start of the FMLA leave. Breaks in employment do not affect this total. The eligibility is based on the cumulative total of the number of months the employee has been employed by the University. All of the following types of leave, except personal, are considered FMLA-qualifying if certain employee eligibility criteria have been met.

• Medical leave for self (serious personal health condition) guarantees up to 12 workweeks, but the University of Florida’s policy allows, pending supervisory approval, up to six months of leave for eligible employees, which may be extended up to one year for extenuating circumstances.
• Medical leave for family (serious family health condition) guarantees up to 12 workweeks, but the University of Florida’s policy allows, pending supervisory approval, up to six months of leave for eligible employees, which may be extended up to one year for extenuating circumstances. The university also provides leave, with supervisory approval, for family members who do not meet the FMLA’s strict definition of family but fall under the university’s definition for “immediate family.”
• Parental leave (birth of a biological child or placement of a child pending adoption) is granted up to six months for eligible employees upon request. The official parental leave period may begin two weeks before the expected date of the child’s arrival and must occur within the 12-month period beginning with that date.
• Foster care purposes are available under the FMLA for up to 12 workweeks of leave and require official documentation of the foster care relationship.
• Military leave for a qualifying exigency or a serious injury or illness for a current servicemember or covered veteran.

Military leave shall be granted to eligible employees, as long as they are not on temporary appointments.

For personal reasons, up to 12 months of leave without pay may be available, pending supervisory approval. Certain requirements apply for faculty. Faculty members who wish to request a personal leave of absence must first consult with their college or unit-level HR representative and secure the support of their college or unit before submitting the request to Central Leave.

OPS employees, including Postdoctoral Associates, are not eligible for personal leave of absence, but under special circumstances, Postdoctoral Associates may be placed on a short-duration personal leave of absence for administrative purposes when advised by UF’s Immigration Attorney.

Required Paperwork

To apply for an extended leave of absence for medical reasons please complete the Extended Leave of Absence Form (found at bottom of this page).

For guidance on determining if an absence is FMLA-qualifying, please refer to the FMLA section of this website.

Leave Request Process

If you expect to be absent from work for more than 3 consecutive days due to a personal or family medical circumstance, or any other reason apart from a previously approved period for personal errand, leisure, or travel, please complete the form below. For all other leave requests, including routine medical appointments or temporary absence due to non-chronic illness, please follow your department’s attendance policy and direct your request to your supervisor.

After submitting the form, you can expect to receive a response from UFHR Central Leave within 5 business days. You will be provided with details about the leave benefits offered through UF regulations and government policies, subject to the receipt of any additional information. You may or may not required to submit verifiable documentation from a third-party.

Leave Request Form

To request leave, please fill out the form below:

Need Help?

Please contact UF Central Leave at (352) 392-2477 or email us at central-leave@ufl.edu.