Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

FMLA is a law and University policy that allows unpaid leave for eligible employees with a qualifying event. Its purpose is to provide job and benefit protection for an eligible employee. 

Frequently Asked Questions


Request Procedures

As a first step in the leave request process, please complete the Leave Request Form and submit it to totalrewards@wichita.edu. A member of the Total Rewards team will then contact you within five (5) business days with the next steps in the process.

If your leave qualifies for FMLA (unpaid), you may supplement your protected leave with any of the following paid leave benefits for which you are eligible to continue your pay while on leave:

  • Earned Accrued Leave - sick leave, vacation leave, compensatory time, discretionary day, etc.
  • Shared Leave - if you meet program eligibility requirements for leave for your own qualifying health condition or to care for a family member with a qualifying health condition. (See the Shared Leave website for more information.)
  • Paid Parental Leave - if you are taking leave as a Primary or Secondary Caregiver following a qualifying birth or adoption of a child (up to six (6) years of age). (See the Paid Parental Leave website for more information.)

If you are taking leave related to your own medical condition, you will need to provide a work release from your health care provider prior to returning to work. You may submit this information on a doctor's office form or you may have them submit a Return to Work Authorization.

Additional Resources:

  • 黑洞社区 Policy 3.34/Family and Medical Leave Act
  • Department of Labor FFCRA Employee Rights Guide
  • Please review  for more information about a one-year delay of the tenure review that may be granted to an untenured faculty member who becomes a parent prior to May 1st of the fifth year of the probationary period.
  • Please review for more information about a faculty member鈥檚 probationary period that is interrupted by a leave of absence other than a scholarly leave, such leave will not be counted toward eligibility for tenure.

Who to Contact

HR Total Rewards Team
totalrewards@wichita.edu
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SME: HB

Revised: 02/08/2024 NH