Personal Time Off

Sam Houston State University offers both paid and unpaid time off to promote wellness for our employees and their families. Personal time off is referred to as leave or leave of absence. For detailed information on each leave type, read our Employee Leaves Policy.

Leave Policy

Types of Leave (Time Off)

Procedures for Taking Leave

Tell your supervisor

Employees should communicate to their supervisor at the earliest practical time details of their absence or anticipated absence(s) including dates with appropriate non-medical documentation. The employee is responsible for completing the leave request, providing supporting documentation, and ensuring the leave is approved. Leaving one’s job without proper notification to the employee’s supervisor or designee can constitute job abandonment which is justification for termination. Bona fide emergencies will be taken into consideration.

Get approval in advance

Employees must complete the Leave Request Approval Form in advance for leaves and other absence from duty.

Leave Request Approval Form

Provide medical documentation after 3 days of illness

To be eligible for accumulated sick leave with pay during a continuous period of more than 3 working days (includes absences for part of a scheduled work day), an employee absent shall send to the Human Resources leave specialist a doctor’s certificate showing the cause or nature of the illness, or some other written statement of the facts concerning the illness.

A physician’s statement certifying ability to return to work may be required when Human Resources determines the nature of the illness was such that the safety, health, or fitness of the employee necessitates the University’s receipt of assurance or clarification from a physician. Excessive absenteeism and abuse of sick leave may constitute grounds for dismissal from employment by the University.

The department head has the discretion to require documentation for illnesses resulting in absences of 3 working days or less, provided such documentation is forwarded directly from the employee to the Human Resources leave specialist.

Leave Pools

Leave Pools offer paid extended leave to eligible employees for eligible circumstances upon approval. Pool balances are generated from donation of current and separating employees. The University has 2 leave pools to apply for and/or donate to; Sick Leave Pool and Family Leave Pool. To be eligible for either pool, you must have exhausted all of your leave balances.

Sick Leave Pool

The Sick Leave Pool is a dedicated fund that intended to assist an employee and his or her immediate family in dealing with catastrophic illnesses or injuries that force them to exhaust all available leaves.

Family Leave Pool

The purpose of the Family Leave Pool is to allow eligible employees to apply for leave time and provide more flexibility in:

  1. bonding with and caring for children during a child's first year following birth, adoption, or foster placement; and
  2. caring for a seriously ill family member or the employee, including pandemic-related illnesses or complications caused by a pandemic.

Check Your Leave Balances

Leave balances are available in your Banner Employee Dashboard. If you have questions regarding your situation or how leave can be used, you should consult Human Resources.

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