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Other types of leave at American University

American University offers faculty and staff a number of leave opportunities.

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Faculty
Staff & Library Faculty

Other types of leave for faculty

Faculty fall, winter, and spring breaks

Faculty fall, winter, and spring breaks are based on the academic calendar in addition to university holidays and closures.

Sabbatical leave

After six years of full-time teaching service, tenured faculty may take one semester (100 percent pay) or an academic year (50 percent pay) of sabbatical leave. Your benefits will continue, of course.

Research leave

For significant scholarly, creative, or professional development opportunities funded by an award or other external source. We still will pay 10 percent of your salary and your benefits will continue.

Leave without pay

A period of unpaid or reduced paid leave is available for research or other non-medical reasons. You can continue your benefits, including tuition benefits.

Other types of leave for staff & library faculty

Bereavement leave

In the event of the death of a parent, spouse, domestic partner, child, grandparent, grandchild, or member of the employee's household, full-time staff and library faculty may use up to 10 days of bereavement leave without having to draw upon accrued sick or annual leave. 

In the event of the death of an extended family member, staff and library faculty may use up to 5 days of bereavement leave without having to draw upon accrued sick or annual leave. Extended family includes an employee's sibling or the sibling, parent, or grandparent of the employee's spouse or domestic partner.

Advise your supervisor that you will be out on bereavement leave and record your time out of the office as "Bereavement Leave" on your time sheet or leave report.

Supervisors of staff in collective bargaining units should refer to the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

Jury duty

Absence with pay to perform summoned jury duty, or to appear in court as a subpoenaed witness, will not be charged against earned leave provided official documentation indicating the reasons and the period for the absence is submitted.

Military leave

A staff member who spends not more than 15 calendar days during a calendar year in active duty training with Military Reserve or National Guard components of the Armed Forces of the United States will be granted a paid leave of absence for such training when documented with appropriate time and attendance sheet.

Leave of Absence

In unusual circumstances, a specified period of leave without pay may be granted by a supervisor with the approval of the department head. A full-time staff member granted leave without pay does not earn annual or sick leave while in that status.

When it can be shown to be in the university's best interests, a staff member may be granted a “University Leave of Absence” without pay for up to one year from the last day of active service. This form of leave without pay does not guarantee re-employment; however, the employee may continue group insurance benefits by paying the full cost.

 

As with all benefits, you should refer to the appropriate section of the Faculty Staff Benefits Manual, applicable policy, or the official plan documents for more extensive information concerning your benefits plans. In the event of any conflict between the information on this website or the appropriate descriptive sections of the Faculty/Staff Benefits Manual and the official plan documents, the plan documents will govern.

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