406 Caregiver Leave
406.1 Definition of a Caregiver Leave
A caregiver leave is a voluntary unpaid leave of absence to care for a seriously ill relative. Serious illness is considered to be a disabling physical or mental condition that requires inpatient care in a hospital or licensed nursing facility, or outpatient care requiring continuing treatment or supervision by a licensed health care provider. Relative will include:
- spouse
- parent (natural, foster, adoptive, stepparent or legal guardian) of the employee or the employee's spouse
- child (natural, adopted, foster, stepchild, or legal ward) who is under 18 years of age or, if older, unable to care for him/herself because of a serious illness.
A caregiver leave will be granted to the requesting employee, subject to the provisions of this Section and those included in Section 400 of this Manual.
Xref: PPP 400
406.2 Duration of a Caregiver Leave
As delineated by federal and state law concerning family and medical leave, a caregiver leave of absence will be limited to 16 calendar weeks in year one and 12 weeks in year two in any two-year period, less any leave of absence time taken within that same period for child-rearing or disability (see Sections 404 and 405). The two-year period will commence on the first day of any leave of absence for child-rearing, disability, or caregiving occurring subsequent to the effective date of this policy.
An employee may use accumulated vacation days or personal days at the commencement of the leave, but in no event can the total absence for caregiver leave exceed the time periods described in the previous paragraph.
Except in cases of emergency, two weeks advance notice is required for a caregiver leave. Requests for a caregiver leave shall be accompanied by a written notice from the physician or other licensed health care provider, verifying the need for a leave and the probable duration.
Xref: PPP 404; 405
406.3 Benefits During Caregiver Leave
The University will continue to pay its share of health, long-term disability and non-contributory life insurance premium costs for employees on caregiver leave. An employee who makes any contribution to insurance coverages must make arrangements with the Benefits Office to continue coverage.
Further, an employee on caregiver leave:
- accrues vacation and sick days for use after the employee has returned to a regular position scheduled at 20 or more hours per week; at least 30 calendar days must elapse after return before such time can be used.
- is eligible for pay for holidays or recess days that occur within any paid portion of the leave.
- is not eligible for tuition assistance.
406.4 Return from Caregiver Leave
The returning employee must confirm the intention to return by informing the department supervisor at least two weeks prior to the end of the leave.
406.5 Termination
An employee who accepts employment elsewhere during the leave, except as known and approved by the University, who applies for Unemployment Compensation in Connecticut or any other state, or who fails to return to work on the date expected, is considered to have voluntarily resigned.
