Office of Origin: Human Resources            
Responsibility: Executive Director, Human Resources 
Original Date Adopted: 10/25/22 (estimated)
Dates Reviewed: 10/25/22, 2/5/24, 10/22/25 (C)
Last Date Board Approved: 10/25/22

If an employee of Lake Michigan College (the College) is ineligible for any other leave of absence, the College may grant a personal leave of absence without pay, under certain circumstances. 

During an approved leave of absence, the College will continue health insurance coverages if the employee remits the employee premium payments to the College in a timely manner, subject to the terms of the plan documents.

A written request for a personal leave of absence must be submitted to the supervisor and to Human Resources (HR) at least 30 days in advance of the anticipated start of the leave. If the leave is requested for medical reasons and the employee is not eligible for leave under the Family and Medical Leave (FMLA) or any state leave law, medical documentation must also be submitted. 

Requests will be considered on the basis of staffing needs and reasons for the requested leave, as well as performance and attendance records. 

A leave of absence may be requested for up to 8 weeks. A request to extend a leave of absence may be made in writing to the supervisor and HR prior to the end of the original leave of absence. 

When the employee anticipates returning to work, they must notify their supervisor of the expected return date as soon as possible and not later than one week in advance. 

Upon completion of a personal leave of absence, the College will attempt to return an employee to their original job or a similar position, subject to prevailing business considerations. Reinstatement, however, is not guaranteed.

Failure to advise the supervisor and/or HR of availability to return to work, failure to return to work when notified, or a continued absence from work beyond the time approved by the College will be considered a voluntary resignation of employment.

Personal leave runs concurrently with any College-provided short-term disability leave of absence.

References:Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA) (policy)