Policy Number: 185
Administrative Leave
I. POLICY AND GENERAL STATEMENT
Unusual or extenuating situations may arise that warrant the granting of a period of paid leave which does not fall under any of the other leave policies. The State of Texas provides paid leave for miscellaneous circumstances not covered by other leave policies. The umbrella term "administrative leave" is used to encompass all such paid leave situations for employees who hold a regular appointment. An employee who holds a regular appointment is employed to work at least 20 hours per week for a period of at least four and one-half months. Administrative leave will not be charged against an employee's vacation or sick leave privileges.
II. PROCEDURE
1. Types of Leave
For those leaves described below which the employee is aware of in advance, the employee must provide his or her supervisor with reasonable advance notice. Taking of such leave is subject to the supervisor's approval. The supervisor may request documentation from the employee to support the granting of leave.
A. Closure Due to Adverse Conditions
Department chairs or administrative equivalents must grant administrative leave to compensate employees on occasions when the university is declared to be officially closed due to adverse conditions. (Refer to HOOP Policy 85 University Closure for Emergency, Disaster or Severe Weather.)
B. Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Medical Services Volunteers
Employees who are volunteer firefighters or emergency medical services volunteers will be granted a paid administrative leave of absence not to exceed five working days each fiscal year for attending training schools conducted by state agencies. This leave of absence may also be granted to volunteer firefighters or emergency medical services volunteers for the purpose of responding to emergency fire or medical situations. Employees must notify their supervisors, or an appropriate equivalent, prior to responding.
C. Foster Parents
An employee who is a foster parent to a child under the conservatorship of the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services is entitled to administrative leave for the purpose of attending meetings held by the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services regarding the child under the foster care of the employee, or to attend an admission, review or dismissal meeting held by a school district regarding the child under the foster care of the employee.
D. American Red Cross Disaster Service Volunteers
An employee who is a certified disaster service volunteer of the American Red Cross or who is in training to become such a volunteer, with the authorization of his or her supervisor, may be granted administrative leave not to exceed 10 working days each year to participate in specialized disaster relief services for the American Red Cross, on the request of the American Red Cross and with the approval of the governor's office. The Division of Emergency Management within the governor's office coordinates a list of eligible individuals.
E. Assistance Dog Training
An employee who is a person with a disability is entitled to an administrative leave of absence for the purpose of attending a training program to acquaint the employee with an assistance dog to be used by the employee. This leave of absence is not to exceed 10 working days in the fiscal year. Person with a disability means a person who has a mental or physical disability, including mental retardation, hearing impairment, deafness, speech impairment, visual impairment, or any health impairment that requires special ambulatory devices or services.
F. Bone Marrow, Organ and Blood Donors
An employee is eligible for up to 5 days of administrative leave per fiscal year to serve as a bone marrow donor, up to 30 calendar days in a fiscal year to serve as an organ donor, and up to 4 blood donation times per year with pay, with documentation.
G. Outstanding Performance
Department chairs or administrative equivalents may grant administrative leave to employees as a reward for outstanding performance as documented by employee performance appraisals, up to a maximum of 32 hours in any fiscal year. Employees who are awarded administrative leave for meritorious performance must use this leave within a calendar year of the award date. If an employee terminates employment before using some or all of the administrative leave awarded, the employee is not eligible to be paid in lieu of receiving the leave.
H. Amateur Radio Operators
An employee who holds an amateur radio station license issued by the Federal Communications Commission may be granted paid administrative leave up to 10 working days each fiscal year to participate in specialized disaster relief services. The leave must be authorized by the employee's supervisor and approved by the governor. The Division of Emergency Management within the governor's office coordinates a list of eligible individuals.
I. Court Appointed Special Advocates Volunteer
With the prior authorization of his or her supervisor, an employee may be granted up to five hours leave each month to participate in mandatory training or to perform volunteer services for Court Appointed Special Advocates.
J. Miscellaneous Administrative Leave
The President may, in limited situations,determine that an administrative leave is appropriate. For example, the President has delegated to the Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer and to the Deans or administrative equivalents the ability to grant administrative leave to an employee who is the subject of a disciplinary action or an investigation.
2. Record Keeping
A. Employees
Employees who take paid administrative leave must note it as such on their official time record.
B. Department Chair or Administrative Equivalent
When awarding administrative leave for meritorious job performance, the department chair or administrative equivalent must ensure a copy of the employee's performance appraisal form is readily available and easily cross-referenced to time records if the department is audited.
3. Effect on Pay, Leave Accruals and Holiday Eligibility
Administrative leave is considered time worked for the purposes of computing pay; vacation and sick leave accruals; longevity pay; and holiday eligibility.
III. CONTACTS
| Contact | Telephone | Email/Web Address |
|---|---|---|
| Human Resources - Employee Relations | 713-500-3130 | http://hr.uth.tmc.edu/Employee_Relations/employee_relations_staff.html |