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Leaves of Absence

At Lewis & Clark, we understand that life sometimes presents challenges that require time away from work. Leaves of absence are designed to provide flexibility and support during such times, allowing eligible faculty and staff to take extended periods away from their regular duties for personal, medical, or other reasons.

A leave of absence differs from paid time off (PTO) in that it typically involves an extended period away from work often for reasons such as medical treatment, caregiving responsibilities, personal development, or other significant life events. Depending on the situation, the leave might be paid or unpaid.

Types of Leaves Offered

Lewis & Clark offers various types of leaves of absence, each tailored to meet different needs and circumstances.

Lewis & Clark Paid Leave Program (Paid Leave Oregon/PLO): Provides 100% salary continuation for eligible employees for up to 12 weeks, allowing time away from work for a variety of personal or family-related reasons.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA): Offers eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave each year for specific family and medical reasons, ensuring job security during challenging times.

Bereavement: Grants benefit-eligible employees paid time off to attend the funeral of a family member and to handle necessary household adjustments following the death of a loved one. An employee can also use sick leave for bereavement and there is 60 days of job protection through OFLA.

Military Leave: Allows employees to take time off for military service obligations, including training and deployment, while ensuring their job remains protected in accordance with applicable laws.
Jury Duty or Court: Provides employees with paid time off to fulfill their civic duty as jurors or to attend court proceedings as required, ensuring that participation in the judicial process does not result in loss of income.

Eligibility and Application Process

Eligibility for leaves of absence and the application process vary depending on the type of leave and individual circumstances. Our HR team is dedicated to assisting employees in navigating these processes and ensuring that leaves of absence are managed with sensitivity and care.

What is Protected Leave?

Protected leave refers to your right to take time off from work under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA), or Paid Leave Oregon while maintaining your job security. When you return from this leave, you are entitled to be reinstated to your former position or an equivalent one. Typically, FMLA, OFLA, and Paid Leave Oregon provide up to 12 weeks of job protection.

However, if you exhaust your protected leave and are still unable to return to work, your reinstatement to your former position or any other position is not guaranteed. Additionally, if your position is eliminated while you are on leave, reassignment to an equivalent position will depend on availability and is not assured.

Notices

Supporting Our Community

At Lewis & Clark College, we are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for our faculty and staff. We recognize the importance of work-life balance and are here to support our employees during times of personal need.