The following leave policies are described in detail with specific procedures in the Employee Handbook and Faculty Handbook. Please refer to the relevant document for complete details of each leave or accommodation type.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Religious Accommodations
Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (FWA)
Temporary Job Duty Modifications
Unpaid, job-protected leave for an employee’s serious health condition or to care for a family member, including Paid Parental Leave
Accrued Leave
Annual Leave
- Professional Staff earn 1.833 workdays for each month worked up to a maximum of 22 days annual leave per calendar year, subject to proration based on FTE. Refer to the Employee Handbook for details.
- Non-Exempt Staff earn annual leave in proportion to their length of service, ranging from 12 – 22 days per calendar year. Refer to the Employee Handbook for details.
- Faculty – 12-month administrative faculty accrue leave, but 9-month teaching faculty do not accrue leave. Please refer to the Faculty Handbook for details.
Sick Leave
- Professional Staff and Non-Exempt Staff earn one (1) workday for each month worked up to a maximum of 12 days sick leave per calendar year, subject to proration based on FTE. Refer to the Employee Handbook for details.
- Faculty – 12-month administrative faculty accrue leave, but 9-month teaching faculty do not accrue leave. Please refer to the Faculty Handbook for additional details.
Faculty-Specific Leaves
Faculty Maternity or Sick Leave
In the event of pregnancy or an illness, a faculty member will receive maternity leave or sick leave for periods which may be as long as six months. The University may request confirmation from competent medical sources of the need for maternity leave or sick leave. When a faculty member goes on such a leave, the department chairperson or dean must arrange for colleagues to carry out the faculty member’s obligations or must make other arrangements for fulfilling those obligations. Maternity leave covers recovery from pregnancy, miscarriage, abortion, childbirth, and from any resulting disabilities. Refer to the Faculty Handbook for additional information.
The University offers tenured faculty members opportunities to apply for sabbatical leaves to engage in activities designed for professional growth, development, and renewal. The goal of a sabbatical leave is to enhance the professional effectiveness of the faculty member and to enrich the academic climate of the University. Refer to the Faculty Handbook for additional information.
Administrative Leaves
Administrative Sabbatical Leave
In order to maintain and enhance the professional competence and productivity of the administrative and professional staff, the University makes available the opportunity for exempt staff to apply for sabbatical leave. To be eligible to apply for sabbatical leave, staff members must have completed at least six years of full-time, continuous service with the University and must have developed a well-articulated plan for professional, self-improvement activity. Sabbatical leave will be for four-and-one-half months (the equivalent of an academic term) at full pay or nine months at half pay. Application for sabbatical leave should be made by letter addressed to the immediate supervisor.
Extended Sick Leave for Professional Staff
Exempt employees experiencing a prolonged serious illness may request up to six (6) months of additional paid leave once accrued sick and annual leave have been exhausted. Extended sick leave may be approved by the President or his designee, provided the employee’s duties can be covered through reassignment. Refer to the Employee Handbook for details.
Staff Administrative Leaves
Qualified employees will be placed on administrative leave and excused without loss of pay, based on their eligibility, for the reasons listed below. If any of the following administrative leaves fall within annual or sick leave, they will be taken as administrative leave and not charged against annual or sick leave. Refer to the Employee Handbook for details.
- Jury Duty
- Witness Summons
- Suspension of Normal Campus Operations
- Bereavement / Funeral Leave
- Birthday Leave
Leave of Absence for Personal Reasons
Employees may request an unpaid personal leave of absence. The request for leave must be made in writing and is subject to the supervisor’s approval. The department should consult with Department of Human Resources. Overstaying a leave of absence without proper notification and approval may constitute an automatic resignation and the loss of the right to reinstatement. An employee may be required to use accrued leave before taking a leave of absence without pay. Refer to the Employee Handbook for details.
InfoImportant Note
A leave of absence may be requested for up to six (6) months to attend classes at The University of Alabama as a full-time student.
Military Leave
All staff who are active members of the Alabama National Guard or of any other reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States are eligible for a military leave of absence for performance of military duty. Time spent on military leave, (whether paid or unpaid), is not considered a break in employment. Employees must provide documentation of military orders to immediate supervisor and Human Resources. Refer to the Military Leave policy.