Leave of Absence and Disability Overview

At NSU, we are dedicated to creating a supportive workplace for our employees. As part of this commitment, we offer Leaves and Disability Benefits to provide help when you need it most.

To make this process as smooth as possible, the Office of Human Resources (OHR) and Lincoln Financial Group (LFG), our leave administrator, are here to guide you every step of the way, and address any questions you might have.

DEFINITIONS AND GUIDELINES

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

It provides up to 12 weeks of job protection for employees who need a leave for their own illnesses, surgical recovery (including childbirth), medical appointments, or to take care of a parent, spouse/domestic partner, or child.

It can be continuous or intermittent.

FMLA is available after 1 year of continuous service and 1,250 hours.

Employees uses their vacation, sick time, and/or personal time to pay themselves for time missed.

Click here for FMLA guidelines if you reside in the state of Colorado.

Short-Term Disability (STD)

For employees who are unable to work due to their own medical disability for up to 6 months.

STD is available after 90 days from hire date for employees working 19.2 hours or more per week.

It does not cover intermittent leaves.

STD runs concurrently with FMLA and may run up to 6 months. Note: it must be medically supported.

STD starts paying after a 7-day waiting period. If employees have vacation, sick, and/or personal time, they must use this first to pay themselves before STD starts paying.

If they do not have any time to use, the 7 days will go unpaid. Employees must use all available accrued time before STD payments commence

STD payment is equal to 60% of salary.

Long-Term Disability (LTD)

Available for eligible employees working 19.2 hours or more per week at NSU and who have successfully completed 90 days of employment.

For employees who are unable to work due to their own medical disability, and who have exhausted short-term disability for 6 months may transition to LTD. Note: it must be medically supported.

Employees transition to LTD after STD is exhausted, which results in separation from the university.

LTD payment is equal to 60% of salary.

For information on other types of leaves (military, bereavement, discretionary, or domestic), and detailed policies on short term and long term disability, please review the Employee Handbook.

WHEN SHOULD YOU REQUEST A LEAVE OF ABSENCE?

If your absence will last less than five (5) work days, you DO NOT need to file for a leave of absence claim. However, if you meet the qualifications below, you MUST file for a leave of absence claim.

Your absence is lasting seven (7) consecutive calendar or five (5) work days.
Your absence is due to your own illness, disability, or pregnancy/childbirth; or
To care for a newborn within the first year of birth, or the placement and/or care for a child under the age of 18 for adoption or foster care placement; or
To care for an immediate family's (spouse, children, parents) serious health condition; or
For any qualifying exigency arising out of the fact that the employee’s spouse, child, or parent is a covered military member on “covered active duty”.

Leave requests may be submitted up to 30 days in advance of a planned absence and requests for unplanned absences should be submitted as soon as practicable, usually within one to two business days.

Timely reporting is critical in securing approval of your request and continuation of payments issued through payroll.

HOW TO REQUEST A LEAVE OF ABSENCE

Leave of absence claims must be submitted through Lincoln Financial Group (LFG). You can effortlessly submit, review, track and update your claim through LFG's secure portal or by calling 800-291-0112.

Follow our 3-step guide for more information.

FMLA GUIDELINES FOR THE STATE OF COLORADO

As of January 1, 2024, all employees who reside in the state of Colorado are potentially eligible to take paid family and medical leave under the Colorado Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) Act.

The FAMLI Act provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of partial wage replacement benefits for qualifying family and medical reasons, such as caring for a new child or seriously ill family member or recovering from their own serious health condition.

Employees who have earned at least $2,500 in wages and have been employed by their current employer for at least 180 days generally are eligible for FAMLI benefits. Employees are required to file a claim with the state and provide documentation of their qualifying reason for leave. Employees also are required to give their employers at least 30 days notice of their intent to take leave or as soon as practicable if the leave is unforeseeable or if providing 30 days notice is not possible.

NSU Employees who reside in the state of Colorado and need to file a claim for FMLA must follow these instructions:

Notify your supervisor or manager.
Start a claim with LFG online at mylincolnportal.com (First time users, use the company code NSU-EE).
Provide health care provider’s information, supervisor’s information, reason for leave, last day worked, first day absent from work, and anticipated return to work date.
Submit authorization to release information form and medical certification to LFG within 15 calendar days.
When returning to work, must submit a return to work form to your Human Resource contact or at loa@nova.edu

In addition, LFG will provide you with instructions and contact information to file an FAMLI claim with Colorado's Department of Labor and Employment where you may be eligible to get compensated for the duration of the leave.

For information on the Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program (FAMLI) click here.

For additional questions, please contact the Benefits Department at loa@nova.edu

Additional Resources

ICUBA Nurse Case Management

A dedicated Nurse Case Manager is available to provide pre and post-care assistance for employees covered under an NSU/ICUBA medical insurance plan. ICUBA’s dedicated Nurse Case Manager can help manage health concerns, coordinate therapy, quality research, and many other services at no additional cost to employees covered under an NSU/ICUBA medical insurance plan! - Contact the Nurse Case Manager today by calling 800-868-2500, extension 47851.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The EAP is a confidential, free resource that can help you and your family deal with problems that may seem overwhelming. The EAP is available to all benefit-eligible NSU employees and every member of their household.

Access services online at www.resourcesforliving.com or by phone at 877-398-5816 (press option 1 for EAP services). The Employee Assistance Program username is ICUBA and the password is 8773985816.

Worker's Compensation

NSU designates Worker's Compensation-approved absences as FMLA leave. Employees can supplement Worker's Compensation benefits with available paid time off where allowed by state law. If employees refuse light-duty work certified by their healthcare provider, they may lose Worker's Compensation benefits but can remain on unpaid FMLA leave. At the end of Worker's Compensation benefits, NSU mandates the substitution of available paid time off for remaining unpaid FMLA leave.- Worker's Compensation-approved absences are not compensable under the university's Short Term Disability Program.