I. Purpose

Define leave of absence provisions as set forth by the Disaster Service Volunteer Leave Act as provided for under State of Illinois Compiled Statutes 5 ILCS 335/1, et seq. - Disaster Service Volunteer Leave Act.

II. Policy

Under this policy a disaster includes those at Level III and above in the American National Red Cross Regulations and Procedures or any disaster declared by proclamation of the Governor under Section 7 of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. An employee of the University who is a certified disaster service volunteer of the American Red Cross or assigned to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), in accordance with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, the Emergency Assistance Compact Act, or other applicable administrative rules, may be granted leave with pay for not more than 20 working days in any 12-month period to participate in specialized disaster relief services for the American Red Cross or IEMA, upon request of the applicable agency and approval of the University. This leave will not result in loss of seniority, pay, vacation time, compensatory time, personal days, sick time, or earned overtime accumulation. Approval by the University is based on the operational need of the department, approval of which must come from the department head, dean if applicable, and vice president, and shall not be unreasonably denied by the University for services related to a disaster within the United States or its territories.

While on Disaster Service Volunteer Leave, employees continue to receive the same State and University benefits as when actively working. All State-paid contributions continue. Compensation is at the regular rate of pay for regular hours during which the employee is absent. Leave is granted without loss of seniority, pay, vacation time, compensatory time, personal days, sick time, or earned overtime accumulation.

III. Procedure

Employees who are apply for Disaster Service Volunteer Leave must complete the Leave of Absence form and route it through the applicable signature process, including the head of the department, dean if applicable, and the vice president.  Once all signatures have been obtained the completed form along with the request from the applicable agency should be sent to Human Resource Services for processing.  

References

• Board of Trustee Regulations Section II Subsection D Item 8g and Section III Subsection C Item 6h
• Disaster Service Volunteer Leave. 5 ILCS 335