Personal Leave
An employee may be granted a personal leave of absence for non medical reasons, provided the university deems such leave to be justified and not detrimental to the operations of the organization. The approval of any leave of absence, with or without pay, is at the discretion of the employee’s supervisors and the Chief People Officer.
To apply for a personal leave, the employee must submit a Personal Leave of Absence Request Form. For Faculty members this form must be approved by the Provost (or designee). For A&P and USPS employees the form must be approved by the Chief People Officer (or designee). When on an unpaid personal leave, the employee is responsible for the full premium cost (employer and employee contributions) for basic life insurance benefits.
Forms required for Personal Leave
Personal Leave Request Form
Conflict of Interest (Update required for Faculty)
Florida Disaster Volunteer Leave Act
An employee of the University of Central Florida may be granted a leave of absence with pay for not more than 15 work days in any 12 month period to volunteer for specialized disaster relief services. Such leave of absence may be granted upon the request of the employee and upon the approval of the employee’s employing agency after verifying the employee’s volunteer status. An employee granted leave under this section is not deemed to be an employee of the state for purposes of workers’ compensation. Leave under this act may be granted only for services related to a disaster occurring within the boundaries of the State of Florida, except that, with the approval of the university president or designee, leave may be granted for services in response to a disaster occurring within the states or territories of the United States.
An employee who is granted leave under this section must attest to his or her employing agency that her or she has completed his or her volunteer service for a disaster, and must also specify the period of time for which he or she served as a volunteer for that event and a description of the disaster response or recovery services that the employee provided.
Legal Sources:
* State of Florida Section 110.120 Florida Statutes
Victims of Domestic & Sexual Violence
The University will provide up to 3 days of unpaid leave (the leave may be paid if the employee has accumulated leave) to an employee who is a victim of domestic or sexual violence or has a family or house hold member who is a victim of domestic or sexual violence whose interests are not adverse to the employee as it relates to the domestic or sexual violence may take unpaid leave from work to address domestic or sexual violence by:
- Seek an injunction for protection against domestic violence or an injunction for protection in cases of repeat violence, dating violence, or sexual violence.
- Seeking medical attention for, or recovering from, physical or psychological injuries caused by domestic or sexual violence to the employee or the employee’s family or household member.
- Obtaining services from a victim services organization, including, but limited to a domestic violence shelter or program or a rape crisis center.
- Making the employee’s home secure from the perpetrator of domestic violence or finding a new home to escape the perpetrator.
- Seeking legal assistance to address issues arising from domestic violence or attending or preparing for court related proceedings arising from the act of domestic violence.
Family or household member means a spouse, parent, son, daughter and persons jointly residing in the same household.
The employee must provide the University with at least 48 hours advance notice of the employee’s intention to take the leave unless providing such notice is not practicable. The Leave of Absence Request Form will be utilized to request leave under this policy. You may reach out directly to the Assistant Director, Leave Administration, with questions. When an absence occurs, the University will not take any action against the employee if the employee provides documentation or certification of the event within 15 calendar days of the event or when requested by the University.
The University will require the employee to provide documentation or certification that the employee or the employee’s family or house hold member is a victim of domestic or sexual violence and the leave is for one of the purposes stated in the statute and listed above. The employee must provide such documentation or certification within 15 calendar days of the event or after the University has requested documentation or certification. Completing the Leave of Absence Request form initiates the process, and the employee shall provide:
- Documentation from an employee, agent, or volunteer of a victim service organization, an attorney, a member of the clergy, or a medical or other professional from whom the employee or the employee’s family or household member has sought assistance in addressing domestic or sexual violence and the effects of the violence.
- A police or court record: or
- Other corroborating evidence.
Through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), employees are provided with experienced, professional counselors who help with virtually all types of personal problems. Click here to learn more.