Family and Medical Leave (FML)
The University recognizes the importance of achieving a healthy balance between work and family obligations and is committed to supporting our employees through certain measures to promote a “family-friendly” environment. The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law designed to help employees balance the demands of the workplace and the needs of their families by allowing for unpaid job and benefits protected leave for certain family and medical reasons. Faculty members who are seeking Family Medical Leave should submit a Family Medical Leave Request Form from University Human Resources (UHR). The Office of Staff Relations in UHR receives and reviews and processes the request. For more information, please see https://uhr.umd.edu/leave/fml/.
Professional Leave for Librarians
The following instructions are based on the University's
Policy on Professional Leave for Librarians.
- An applicant for a professional leave must initiate the request by completing
the Professional Leave Request Form and attaching a detailed summary of the professional project (see below) and a current curriculum vitae. Applications must be submitted at least 6 months in advance of the proposed professional leave, and the librarian must agree to comply with the university's professional leave policy. The Professional Leave Form must include the specific dates for which the leave is requested. (A librarian may request any 6- or 12-month period.)
- The Summary of the Project should describe:
- the specific project or work which is expected to be accomplished during the professional leave
- the value of this project to the mission of the library system
- the location where the project is to be conducted and other relevant travel/study plans
- tangible products or results expected from professional activities
- These materials should be submitted to the Dean who is responsible for verifying the eligibility of the applicant and completing the form.
The Dean must attach a brief letter that explains why the librarian merits a professional leave and the expected benefits of the professional
leave to the librarian and the library system. Professional leaves must be more than automatic awards for service.
- Additionally, the librarian must have completed six years of full-time (100%) service to UMCP at the time of an initial request
or since the previously granted professional leave. Normally, semesters when the applicant was on an approved Leave of Absence Without Pay (LWOP)
or partial LWOP do NOT count toward service toward a professional leave.
- The Dean must sign the form and forward it to the Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs, 2117 Main Administration Building, for review and approval by the Provost.
After a decision is reached by the Provost, a letter will be sent to the applicant, with copies to the Dean and payroll and personnel officers. The original
material will be kept in the Office of the Provost.
Note: Faculty on professional or sabbatical leave continue
to have the same benefits coverage. They also continue to accrue annual leave
and sick leave at either full rate (if receiving full pay) or half rate (if
receiving half pay).