The purpose of this policy is to establish the terms and conditions for full-time academic appointments (Tenure-Line and Non-Tenure-Line) to include paid and unpaid academic sick leave during the Fall and Spring Semesters. Unless otherwise specified below, the term faculty member includes the academic appointment employees noted above. These guidelines are not intended for short duration absences that can be handled in other ways. These guidelines are for longer-term illnesses or medical needs (i.e., continuous absences of more than five business days in a row).
Sick Leave
Faculty members in the College of Information Sciences and Technology will be eligible for paid sick leave under the following schedule.
| Length of Continuous University Service as a Full-Time University Employee at Beginning of Absence | Allowance for Each Absence (Business Days) |
|---|---|
| Less than 2 years | 20 days* |
| More than 2, but less than 5 years | 40 days* |
| More than 5, but less than 10 years | 90 days* |
| More than 10 years | 120 days* |
*Non-tenure-line contracts/appointments
- will not be renewed for the purpose of depleting the absence allowance
- will not be terminated solely because of an absence due to illness
If the faculty member returns to active service, and within sixty calendar days returns to leave status for the same illness or injury, the amount of time charged to leave with pay for the previous absence shall be counted against the allowance for the subsequent absence when determining the new allowance.
Approval for paid or unpaid sick leave for absences must be supported by Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) medical certification form completed by the health care provider and submitted to Penn State’s Human Resource’s office of Absence Management. Contact the IST Human Resources Office for consultation, information, and required forms. See also HRG11-Family and Medical Leave.
In advance of the absence (if possible) or at the immediate onset of the absence, any faculty member with assigned teaching responsibilities will need to communicate with the Head of Department or the Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs to ensure that appropriate action has been taken to have teaching duties covered during the absence.
Following the period of paid sick leave, the faculty member will be eligible for unpaid sick leave in accordance with Penn State’s Policy HR16 - Leave of Absence without Salary.
For faculty members paid from federal grants or contracts, budgetary arrangements for paid or unpaid sick leave must be made in accordance with agency regulations.
Step-By-Step Guide
- Faculty members should contact IST's HR office to discuss their need for using this guideline and request guidance as needed.
- Faculty members should contact Penn State's Absence Management office at Absence@psu.edu to discuss their medical condition and requirement for FMLA certification.
- Absence Management handles the required medical documentation for Penn State and complies with HIPAA requirements.
- Absence Management will notify the faculty member, Dean, and Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs (along with IST HR) of all approved FMLA requests for faculty members.
- If the FMLA request is approved by Absence Management, then the Faculty member should complete the leave of absence form: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/f... (see form example below).
- Faculty members should work with the Head of Department or the Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs on course coverage during their absence.
- Note: Faculty members may share with college leadership any information they choose but are under no obligation to share information they do not wish to share regarding their condition. The only information they need to share is the time frame they will be unable to work and when they will be able to return to their teaching, research, and service responsibilities.
- Faculty members will need to coordinate with Absence Management on when they are cleared by their medical provider to return to work (if that is a requirement Absence Management makes them aware of when placing them on sick leave).
Resources
- AC61 – Faculty Contracts
- AC76 - Faculty Rights and Responsibilities
- HR16 – Leave of Absence without Salary
- HRG11 – Family and Medical Leave
- HRG18 – Paid Parental Leave for Faculty
Approved by Andrea Tapia, dean 04/20/2025