The University of Alabama at Birmingham

Human Resources

HR QUICK GUIDE: Leaves of Absence


This HR Quick Guide is designed to help you request and manage leaves of absence at UAB. 


There are many reasons why you may need to take a leave of absence from work at UAB. UAB HR is here to help. Best bet? Start with UAB's Leave Department. The Leave web page has a welcome video, direct access to the Leave App (start here) and answers to frequently asked questions. You request your leave of absence on the Leave of Absence web site. Is your primary work assignment with HSF and not UAB? That is a different process. Click here.





TOPICS CONTAINED HERE



Why do people take leaves of absence?

Reasons people take leave include employee illness family illness birth, adoption or foster care , and other leaves (military, bone marrow, living donor, sabbatical, educational and personal).


What is the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)?

The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 is a federal regulation that entitles qualified employees (faculty and staff) to up to 12 work weeks* of unpaid, job protected leave and benefits continuation for qualifying events, including:

  • the employee's own serious health condition
  • a family member's serious health condition (spouse, parent, child under 18 years or 19 years and older if incapable of self-care because of a medical or physical disability)
  • the birth or adoption of a child or foster care of a child
  • qualifying military exigencies
  • military caregiver leave (up to 26 weeks)


Can FMLA be taken intermittently?

When medically necessary, employees may take leave intermittently See the UAB FMLA policy.


What is considered a serious health condition under FMLA?

Who is eligible for the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)?

Faculty and staff who have worked at least 1,250 hours during the 12 months prior to the leave start are eligible. For more on eligibility, visit the Family and Medical Leave of Absence Policy or the Leave Absence Website.


Who are immediate family members under FMLA?

FMLA benefits apply when you have to care for your spouse, sponsored adult dependent, child of a sponsored adult dependent or parent with a serious health condition. For more on this, see UAB FMLA Policy.


What are my responsibilities under FMLA?

You are expected to keep up with your time off and documentation. Stay in touch with your supervisor and the leaves team. Keep them apprised of any changes with your leave. Provide an alternative phone number or e-mail if you will not be checking your UAB email. Provide any requested medical documentation to support your leave.


What should I do about calling in? 

Follow UAB's normal call in procedures while on FMLA. The regulation provides that, unless there are unusual circumstances that prevent an employee from doing this, follow procedures. If you are unable to, provide notice as soon as you can practically do it. The regulations are clear that failure to provide timely notice may cause the FMLA leave request to be delayed or denied. Applicable disciplinary rules also apply.


Leave time off. How is the 1250 hours calculated for FMLA?

Actual work hours count. Paid vacation or other time off, unpaid leave, including FMLA, do not count toward the 1250 hours for eligibility. 


While on FMLA, holidays do not extend leave of absence.


Does UAB have paid leave?

In addition to vacation, sick and personal days, UAB offers paid Living Donor and Bone Marrow Leave and Parental Leave. For more on these leaves, visit the Other Leaves of Absence web page.


Are there documentation requirements for leaves of absence?

Yes. Follow the process in the Leave App. UAB may require that your serious health condition or your immediate family member's serous health condition be certified by a health provider. Verification of birth is needed for the non-birthing parent taking Paid Parental Leave. All medical documentation is handled through Employee Health. Employees can provide medical documentation to Employee Health (only) by faxing it to (205) 957-6900 or e-mailing it to medleavedocs@uabmc.edu. All medical documentation and medical information questions should be directed to Employee Health.


How can I reach Employee Health? 

Via website, uabemployeehealth@uabmc.edu and and fax 205-975-6900.


How much notice should I provide for an FMLA request? 

When the leave is forseeable, notify your supervisor at least 30 days in advance. If your need is for family or medical leave is not forseeable, notice must be given as soon as possible and practical. See the Family Medical Leave Policy (FMLA) for notice requirements, methods and potential consequences for lack of compliance. All leave requests begin here. The UAB FMLA Policy is here.


What should I do if I am returning to work from leave?

If you are returning to work following your own serious health condition, a medical return to work form is required. The return to work/medical release should be faxed to (205) 957-6900 or emailed to medleavesdocs@uabmc.edu




By Patricia Merchant | Modified on: Tue, 29 Aug, 2023 at 3:51 PM
The information in this article has been verified as up-to-date on the date of publication. All information is for general purposes only and not intended to address the specific circumstances of any particular individual. For specific questions or support, contact us at humanresources@uab.edu.

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