Leave of Absence and Disability Policies
At Nova Southeastern University, we are dedicated to creating a supportive workplace for our employees. Our comprehensive Leaves and Disability Benefits program is designed to provide you with the necessary support and resources when you need them most.
The Office of Human Resources and Lincoln Financial Group, our leave administrator, are here to guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year for eligible employees to address serious health conditions for themselves or a family member. This includes:
- Personal illness or injury
- Pregnancy or childbirth
- Caring for a sick family member
- Military family leave
Employees use their vacation, sick and/or personal time to pay themselves for time missed.
Eligibility: FMLA is available after one year of continuous service and 1,250 hours.
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.
Short-Term Disability (STD)
Short-Term Disability (STD) provides temporary income replacement for eligible employees who are unable to work due to a non-work-related illness or injury.
Eligibility:
- Employment Duration: You must have been employed by NSU for at least 90 days.
- Hours Worked: You must work 19.2 hours or more per week.
Key Points:
- Waiting Period: There is a 7-day waiting period before benefits begin. If you do not have any time to use, the 7 days will go unpaid.
- Payment Amount: You will receive 60% of your pre-disability earnings.
- Maximum Duration: STD benefits are typically limited to 6 months.
- Medical Certification: You must provide medical documentation to support your claim.
- Concurrent with FMLA: STD benefits may run concurrently with FMLA leave, but you must exhaust any accrued paid time off first.
Long-Term Disability (LTD)
Long-Term Disability (LTD) provides income replacement benefits to eligible employees who experience a long-term disability that prevents them from working.
Eligibility:
- Employment Duration: You must have been employed by NSU for at least 90 days.
- Hours Worked: You must work 19.2 hours or more per week.
- Exhausted STD Benefits: Once STD benefits have been exhausted, you may transition to LTD.
Key Points:
- Medical Certification: Your disability must be medically certified to qualify for LTD benefits.
- Benefit Amount: LTD benefits are typically 60% of your pre-disability earnings, up to a maximum limit.
- Separation from Employment: Employees transition to LTD after STD is exhausted, which results in separation from employment.
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 to Request a Leave of Absence
You do not need to file a leave of absence claim for absences last less than five workdays. You must file a leave of absence claim if:
- Your absence will last seven (7) or more consecutive calendar days or five (5) or more workdays.
- Your absence is due to a serious health condition, pregnancy, childbirth, or caring for an immediate family member (spouse, children, parents) with a serious health condition
- You need to care for a newborn within the first year or birth or the placement and/or care for a child under the age of 18 for adoption or foster care
- You need leave for any qualifying military exigency arising out of the fact that your spouse, child, or parent is a covered military member on “covered active duty”
Important Considerations:
- Timely Submission: Submit your leave request at least 30 days in advance for planned absences and as soon as possible (1-2 business days) for unplanned absences.
- Accurate Reporting: Timely reporting is crucial to ensure approval of your leave and continued payroll payments.
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. Company Code: NSU-EE
Additional Resources
NSU's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a free and confidential resource available to all benefit-eligible employees and their household members. The EAP offers professional counseling and support to help you manage a wide range of personal challenges, including:
- Stress and anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Family concerns
- Financial difficulties
- Grief and loss
- Substance abuse
Access services online at www.resourcesforliving.com or by phone at 877-398-5816 (press option 1 for EAP services).
The EAP username is ICUBA and the password is 8773985816.
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.
If you have any questions, please contact the benefits department at loa@nova.edu.