Military Leave of Absence
Wilkes University is committed to protecting the job rights of employees absent on military leave and follows guidelines established by the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). The University provides paid and unpaid military leave to all regular, full and part time employees for voluntary or involuntary military service.
As laws or interpretations of laws change, military leave benefits for University employees may change accordingly. This policy does not attempt to cover all possible situations or circumstances that may occur if/when an employee is ordered to active duty. Therefore, employees should consult with the Human Resources department for current and complete details regarding their military leave rights as a University employee.
Employees or prospective employees will be not discriminated against in matters related to employment, reemployment, promotion, or any other employment related benefit due to membership or obligation to service in any of the Uniformed Services of the United States.
Procedures
Unless military needs prevent it, employees should meet with Human Resources prior to the leave to complete a request for leave of absence form and provide a copy of their official military orders. However, a written request is not required under the law or this policy.
During the meeting with Human Resources the following benefit information will be reviewed:
- Continuation of health, dental and vision insurance
- Life and/or AD&D Insurance conversion
- Tuition remission continuation
- Contributions to retirement plan
- Paid time off accruals
While on military leave, Wilkes University will pay employees the difference between their normal base compensation and military pay for up to two weeks. Military leave in excess of two weeks will be unpaid. However, employees may use any accrued vacation or personal time during their assignment.
Return to Work
Following a reasonable amount of travel time, employees on military leave for up to 30 days are required to return to work for their first regularly scheduled shift after the end of service.
Employees on longer military leave must contact the Human Resources department within 14 days of the end of service to apply for reinstatement in accordance with USERRA and all applicable state and federal laws.
All employees returning to work following military assignments should provide Human Resources with military discharge documentation to establish honorable discharge from military service, the duration of the military service and timeliness of reemployment if the leave of absence was for 30 days or less or the application for reemployment if the leave of absence was for greater than 30 days.
Effective Date: 03/01/2004
Revised: 07/03/2014
Reviewed: 11/2018