Carle Health may allow a Personal Leave of absence to allow eligible team members time away to pursue personal commitments for reasons that may or may not otherwise qualify for a leave under the federal Family Medical Leave Act. 

ELIGIBILITY

Team members working at least 20 hours per week are eligible to apply for a personal leave of absence.

CONSIDERATION OF LEAVE

Factors taken into consideration for approval of a personal leave of absence include position, length of absence requested, team member’s performance record, expectancy of team member’s return, etc.    

DURATION OF LEAVE

A personal leave of absence must be at least fourteen days in duration. Team members employed less than one year are eligible for up to a maximum of thirty days. Team members employed more than one year are eligible for up to a maximum of six months of personal leave. 

BENEFITS STATUS DURING LEAVE

The team member will not be eligible for benefits after thirty days of personal leave of absence. After thirty days, benefits will terminate and COBRA will be offered. 

COMPENSATION DURING LEAVE

Accrued paid leave hours will be used until exhausted; the remaining leave time will be unpaid. Sick bank hours must be used if eligible. 

REQUEST AND APPROVAL FOR LEAVE

Personal Leave requests should be submitted for approval by completing the Request for Leave form. 

RETURN TO WORK

A personal leave of absence does not guarantee the reinstatement of the team member at the end of the leave. However, Carle Health will make every effort to return the team member to their former or a comparable position. If the team member’s position is unavailable at the time of return, it is the team member’s responsibility to submit applications for vacant positions of interest. If the team member is not selected for a position within 30 days following the end of leave or date of release, the team member’s status will reflect voluntary resignation with proper notice.