THE SICK LEAVE POOLTHE SICK LEAVE POOLProcedures Overview and Benefit Value

Texas A&M University, Human Resources

DIVISION OF FINANCE

February 24, 2011

Human ResourcesSick Leave Pool Procedures Overview and Benefit Value

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Sick Leave Pool Overview Today

Sick Leave Pool History and Statistics General Guidelines and Procedures Catastrophic Condition Defined Department Obligations Pool Value – University Pool Value – Employee

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History and Facts

Authorized by State Legislation in 1993

Governed by System Policy 31.06.01 –

Sick Leave Pool Administration

Each System component administrates its own sick leave pool

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History and Facts

The pool is comprised of voluntary donations; donations may be submitted: during active employment; and/or at the date of termination or retirement.

Texas A&M University Pool Balances 1993: 0 2002: 479,000 Now:985,000 +

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General Guidelines

Use of pool hours are consistent with sick leave policies, i.e., employees may access the pool to: care for an immediate family member; or take leave for their own medical condition.

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General Procedures

Necessary Forms withdrawal medical certification form returned hours (hours granted but not used) donation form

Important: Use the forms directly from our website due to necessary revisions (required Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act disclosure, etc.)

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Catastrophic Condition

Defined as a documented medical condition which results in: 160 hours of missed work time for full-time

employees (80 hours for 50%-effort, etc.); AND

exhaustion of available sick, vacation, and comp time.

Pool hours may not be used for time lost due to Workers’ Compensation injuries or “routine” pregnancies

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General Procedures

Eligible employees must apply for pool hours through their department’s HR Liaison or designee

Applications must be promptly forwarded to Human Resources; retroactive pay through the pool is prohibited

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Department Pool Obligations Under The FMLA

Employees on Family and Medical Leave (FML) must be given access to the sick leave pool in a timely manner

Departments must ensure pool paperwork is initiated if an eligible employee is taking FML for a catastrophic condition

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Departmental Discretion

Departments may use discretion in allowing an employee to access the pool if the employee: is ineligible for FMLA leave; or has exhausted his/her FMLA leave

A department’s denial of pool access to an employee should be: based on business reasons; and consistent with previous department decisions

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Pool Value to the University

Supports the University’s commitment to be the “employer of choice” in the Brazos Valley in terms of wages and benefits.

Reduces the chances of an employee reporting to work while sick (and spreading illness to coworkers) because s/he has no available paid leave.

Helps retain employees by allowing them to stay home and recover from an extended illness.

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Pool Value to Our Employees: Statistics

71% of pool withdrawals are allocated to women

1 in 5 pool users withdraw hours to care for their family members

Of the pool users who withdraw hours to care for a family member, 80% are women

Average donation at end of A&M employment: Men: 625 hours Women: 275 hours

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The sick leave pool allows employees to balance the demands of work and family if paid leave benefits are exhausted due to serious health conditions.

Pool benefits are particularly important to: Women Children

Single parent householdsDual-income families

Pool Value to Our Employees

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In Closing…

All FMLA – eligible employees must be allowed access to the pool.

The pool adds value to the University as an employer.

Pool benefits are particularly valuable to female employees and their family members.

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Questions?

Jim R. KuhlmannLeave Specialist

Phone: (979) 862-4971

Email: jkuhlmann@tamu.edu