Leave of Absence for Personal Reasons

Administrative Procedure 5.308

Elgin Community College full-time employees who are employed on a regular basis and who are not included in employee organizations having collective bargaining agreements with the College, will be granted an extended leave of absence for personal reasons without compensation, when the requested leave does not create a disruption of activities or undue hardship on College operations. Such leaves will not exceed one calendar year. All requests for such leaves will be made to the immediate supervisor and, if recommended, will be submitted by the Administration to the Board for approval. Employees granted leave under this provision will, upon returning to the staff, be entitled to full reinstatement of all provisions of suspended benefits.   

1. Members of the staff may be granted by the College a leave of absence without pay, not to exceed one (1) year, subject to conditions the Board may impose, such as an obligation to return to employment on a specific date. No such leave will be granted to full-time employees without recommendation from the President. Such leaves may be designated for professional growth, military duty or other good cause.
2. Benefits accrued prior to an unpaid leave will not be forfeited. However, no additional leave time (sick leave, vacation leave, personal leave, etc) will accrue during the leave.  Nor will the unpaid leave count towards sabbatical eligibility.
3. After the sixth week of leave, participation in all group insurance plans (Medical, Dental, Vision, Flex, Life, Long-Term Disability, etc) will cease due to reduction in hours.  Individuals seeking to continue their participation in Medical, Dental, Vision and/or Flex Spending may do so by electing to participate in coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA).  Individuals seeking to continue their participation in Basic, Voluntary Life and/or Long Term Disability insurance programs may do so through conversion and portability options, if eligible.
4. The staff member will also not be entitled to participate in any College activities, during the leave period, except as may be allowed by law or approved by the College.
5. Requests for unpaid leaves of absence will be submitted to the appropriate vice president via the immediate supervisor within a reasonable time before the proposed leave is to commence. The President will present such a request, along with a recommendation, to the Board.  

This policy was last reviewed on 08/31/2023.