University Human Resources
Personal and Other Leave Types
Personal Leave of Absence
A personal leave of absence is an unpaid employment status for reasons not covered by the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Collective Bargaining Agreements or other applicable state or federal laws.
Personal leave is not required for pre-approved vacation time.
When to Request a Personal Leave of Absence
Employees must request a personal leave of absence if they anticipate being away from work for more than five business days.
- All leave requests must be submitted through Workday.
- This requirement does not apply to:
- Pre-approved vacation
- Per diem employees
- Periods that overlap with an employee's inactive status
Requests should be submitted at least 30 days prior to the start of the leave and routed to both the employee's manager and HR Business Partner to allow adequate time for review and approval. In the case of emergencies or unforeseen extended absences, requests should be submitted as soon as possible.
The maximum duration of a personal leave of absence is 26 weeks.
Benefits During a Personal Leave of Absence
During an approved personal leave, employees are responsible for paying the full cost of health, dental and voluntary life insurance coverage, including both the employee and employer contributions.
Other Leave Types
Administrative leave may only be initiated by the UHR Office of Employee and Labor Relations.
Employees may request special assignment leave under the following conditions:
- Up to three months at full pay, or
- Up to six months at half pay
Special assignment leave may be approved only when the assignment provides clear value to Brown.
Military leave is governed by the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), which applies to employees serving on active duty, in the reserves or in the National Guard.
USERRA provides:
- Reemployment rights
- Protection from discrimination based on military status
- Up to five cumulative years of protected leave
Additional Resources
These resources are designed to support employees and managers by offering guidance, learning opportunities and easy access to policies and tools related to leave, benefits and accommodations. Together, they provide key information to help employees understand available options, prepare for time away from work and plan for a smooth and successful return.
This page provides answers to common questions about taking a leave of absence from Brown. Employees can find guidance on general leave policies, pay and benefit premium options during leave, and federal and state-protected leaves. The FAQs are designed to help employees navigate the leave process clearly and confidently.