Policy Section: Leaves of Absence
Policy Number and Title: 3.16 Sporadic Absence Policy
Applicable to: All HR Employees
Effective Date: July 1, 2005
 

POLICY STATEMENT

The Princeton University Sporadic Absence policy provides employees with up to eight (8) paid sporadic absence days per fiscal year.

EFFECTIVE DATE

The Princeton University Sporadic Absence policy is effective July 1, 2005.

APPLICATION OF THIS POLICY

The Princeton University Short-term Sporadic Absence policy applies to regular, benefits eligible staff.[1]  Union employees should refer to their collective bargaining agreement.

Sporadic absence time may be taken by the employee for personal illness, injury or accident or for the care of a sick or injured immediate family member or resident member of the household.

Sporadic absence time also may be used for medical appointments, which cannot be scheduled outside of work hours, for the employee or for a member of the immediate family.

Time taken for medical appointments for the employee or member of the immediate family or household may also be charged with supervisory approval to vacation time, optional holidays, time off for compelling reasons, paid time off, or leave without pay.

POLICY PROVISIONS

New Hires In the initial year of employment, employees hired between July 1 and December 31 are allowed up to eight (8) sporadic absence days for the fiscal year of hire.

Employees hired between January 1 and June 30 will be allowed four (4) sporadic absence days for the fiscal year of hire.

Newly hired employees are allowed up to two (2) sporadic absence days during the 90-day probationary period. (See: Conditions of Employment/Introductory Period.)
   
Unused sporadic absence days Employees may roll over any portion of their 8 unused sporadic absence days from one fiscal year to the next fiscal year, up to a combined maximum of 16 days per fiscal year. 

The maximum number of sporadic absence days that an employee may have available for use, in total, in any fiscal year is 16.

Unused sporadic absence days are not compensated upon termination.
   
Exceeding the allotted sporadic absence days. If employees need more than their available number sporadic absence days, the absence, with supervisory approval, may be charged as vacation time, optional holidays, time off for compelling reasons, paid time off, or leave without pay.[2]
   
Short-term Disability An absence of eight full consecutive calendar days may qualify as a short-term disability. (See: Leaves with Pay/Short-term Disability.)
   
Abuse of Sporadic Absence Time Employees who are considered by their supervisors and/or Human Resources to have abused sporadic absence time may be warned that continuing absences may be cause for discipline or termination of employment. (See: Conditions of Employment/Absence from the Workplace.)
   
Sporadic absence during vacation Sporadic absence due to accident, illness or injury that occurs during a vacation period is charged normally to vacation. However, an employee may request that this time be charged as a sporadic absence providing there is appropriate documentation from a physician (see: 3.18 Vacation Leave).
   
Use of FMLA and/or NJ FLA Under certain circumstances, it might be appropriate to charge time off for one’s personal illness or for taking care of a family member to federal Family and Medical Leave or NJ Family Leave. For more information, please refer University policy

ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND PROCEDURES

Supervisors

Maintain records of employee's absences due to sporadic illness, including hours and half days needed for doctor appointments

Follow the normal process for short-term disability, if appropriate

Restore those consecutive calendar days charged to sporadic absences which have resulted in the current short-term disability
   
Employees

Notify supervisors at the beginning of the day, or in accordance with departmental guidelines, of illness and impending absence.

Notify supervisors within a week of a scheduled doctor’s appointment or as soon as possible if the appointment is the result of unexpected circumstances.
   

CONTACTS

Office of Human Resources

www.princeton.edu/hr

(609) 258-3300

hr@princeton.edu

   
Application for Temporary Benefits and Medical Certificate

www.princeton.edu/hr/ben/tdapp.PDF

   
FMLA Policy

Family and Medical Leave 3.31

www.princeton.edu/hr/policies/leaves/331.htm

   
Other Policies

Vacation 3.18

www.princeton.edu/hr/policies/leaves/318.htm

Sporadic Absence 3.16

www.princeton.edu/hr/policies/leaves/316.htm

Absence From the Workplace 5.26

www.princeton.edu/hr/policies/conditions/526.htm

Other Information

Temporary Disability Homepage

www.princeton.edu/hr/ben/tdhome.htm

Temporary Disability Process

www.princeton.edu/hr/ben/tdprocess.htm

Short-term Disability Q & A

www.princeton.edu/hr/ben/tempdis.htm

[1] Non-DOF or PPPL employees.
[2] Note: In rare instances, such as in the case of outpatient treatment for a life-threatening disease, use of sporadic absence time may be handled on an individual basis. An example would be the treatment of cancer by chemotherapy. Managers should discuss such cases with the Office of Human Resources for policy guidance.


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From the:
Policy and Procedure Manual
Office of Human Resources
Princeton University
Last Updated:
09/05/06