Students shall work with their program administrator and advisor to ensure that any leave of absence is minimally disruptive to their academic progression.
Pregnancy Disability Leave
Under the California Pregnancy Disability Leave laws, GSRs are entitled to unpaid leave for up to four months per pregnancy and/or reasonable accommodation for pregnancy disability, childbirth, and related medical conditions. The University will maintain and pay for health insurance coverage (University-sponsored Student Health Insurance Plans, or other insurance as applicable) for the duration of the leave, not to exceed four months in a 12-month period.
Short-Term Leaves
GSRs with a 50% appointment who take an eligible leave shall be eligible for up to two (2) days of paid leave per quarter . The amount of paid leave will be prorated for salaried GSRs with appointments other than 50% FTE.
The University will grant a GSR’s reasonable request for leave of absence of appropriate duration due to personal illness and/or disability; birth, adoption, or care of a child or family member; family emergencies; or appointments and/or hearings scheduled by federal immigration officials or the U.S. Department of State with respect to immigration or citizenship status of the GSR, spouse, domestic partner, child or parent.
Long-Term Leaves
Salaried GSRs who take an eligible leave shall be eligible for up to eight (8) weeks of paid leave per academic year. The University will grant a GSR’s reasonable request for long-term leave due to the GSR’s serious health condition, as defined under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), or to care for a family member of the GSR who has a serious health condition; to care for and bond with the newborn child or a child placed with the GSR for adoption or foster care, provided that the leave is taken within 12 months of the birth or placement of the child with the GSR; or pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions for the period prior to, during, and after childbirth.
Whenever possible, leave should be requested at least 30 calendar days in advance of the start date of the leave. The leave will not continue beyond the end date of the GSR’s appointment. A GSR will have a maximum of eight weeks of paid leave in an academic year, regardless of the number of qualifying events. Unpaid leave may be granted for periods beyond the terms of these leaves at the sole discretion of the University but shall not exceed the end of the appointment period.
