An employee who requests Military Family Leave because of a qualifying exigency under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is entitled to up to 12 weeks of FMLA leave each year. Qualifying circumstances include attending military events, briefings or counseling, arranging for alternative childcare, or making financial and legal arrangements. A Certification of the Qualifying Exigency for Military Family Leave form must be submitted along with the Request for Family or Medical Leave.
Employees are entitled to up to 26 weeks of leave in a single 12-month period to care for a covered servicemember with a serious injury or illness. A Certification for Serious Injury or Illness of Covered Servicemember for Military Family Leave must be submitted along with the Request for Family or Medical Leave.
Family and Medical Leave may not be denied. Eligible employees are those:
- who have worked for the University for at least 12 months (not necessarily consecutive), and
- who have provided at least 1,250 hours of service during the prior twelve months.
The maximum amount of FMLA leave that an employee may take for all FMLA-qualifying reasons in any 12-month period is 26 weeks.
Under State law, when an employee’s spouse, domestic partner, or child who is a Maine resident is deployed for military leave in a combat theater or an area where armed conflict is taking place for a period lasting more than 180 days, the employee may take up to 15 days of leave. The leave may be taken during the 15 days immediately before deployment, the 15 days immediately after deployment, or both. Certification of the need for family military leave may be required. This type of leave does not count as FMLA leave. Eligible employees are those:
- Who have worked for the University for at least twelve months, and
- Who have provided at least 1,250 hours of service during the prior twelve months.
Employees may use a combination of accrued annual leave and compensatory time during family military leave. An employee who exhausts all paid leave may request leave without pay and may continue benefits coverage at the employee’s expense.
If the leave will last five or more consecutive work days, the employee must give at least fourteen days advance notice. An employee taking leave for fewer than five consecutive work days must provide advance notice as practicable.
Related Information:
Employee Assistance Program
Updated: February 2009
Contact Human Resources
If you have a question about military leave or any other employment-related question, contact your Campus Human Resources Office. Be prepared to give your Employee ID number.
Last Updated: January 4, 2012