Military Leave

A military leave of absence will be granted to employees who are absent from work because of service in the U.S. uniformed services in accordance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). Advance notice of military service is required, unless military necessity prevents such notice or it is otherwise impossible or unreasonable.

Employees will receive partial pay for two-week training assignments and shorter absences. Upon presentation of satisfactory military pay verification data, employees will be paid the difference between their normal base compensation and the pay (excluding expense pay) received while on military duty. In order to receive this pay, the employee must submit a copy of their military Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) to show the amount they were paid during their two-week training assignment or shorter absence.

All leave of absence requests must be presented in writing to the employee's supervisor as far in advance as possible. This request should then be promptly forwarded to the Office of Human Resources for final approval. Prior to taking military leave, the employee must provide the Office of Human Resources with a copy of military orders

The portion of any military leaves of absence in excess of two weeks in a calendar year will be unpaid. However, employees may use any available paid time off for the absence.

Continuation of health insurance benefits is available as required by USERRA based on the length of the leave and subject to the terms, conditions and limitations of the applicable plans for which the employee is otherwise eligible. Regardless of the length of a military leave of absence, an employee's group life and health plan coverage will remain in effect. Employees are expected to make arrangements to pay the monthly contribution for dependent coverage under the Spelman College health plan while they are on a leave of absence. Failure to do so may result in the lapse of such coverage.

Vacation, sick leave, and holiday benefits will continue to accrue during a military leave of absence.

Employees on military leave for up to 30 days are required to return to work for the first regularly scheduled shift after the end of service, allowing reasonable travel time. Employees on longer military leave must apply for reinstatement in accordance with USERRA and all applicable state laws.

Employees returning from military leave will be placed in the position they would have attained had they remained continuously employed or a comparable one depending on the length of military service in accordance with USERRA. They will be treated as though they were continuously employed for purposes of determining benefits based on length of service.

Contact the Office of Human Resources for more information or questions about military leave.

Policy No.  605  Effective Date:  9/1/2000