Human Resources

Time off

Leaves of absence

Family Medical Leave (FMLA and OFLA)

The Federal Medical Leave Act (FMLA ) and the Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA) are two laws designed to provide you with job protection and time off from work to care for yourself or a family member during a serious medical condition or other situation as outlined by FMLA and OFLA.

FMLA and OFLA have very similar provisions, and most often these leaves run concurrently. OFLA is somewhat more generous than FMLA, so eligibility requirements and leave allowances listed are per OFLA.

Paid Leave Oregon

Effective September 3, 2023, in compliance with Paid Leave Oregon, paid leave will be available for eligible Reed College employees. This program covers all employees of Reed except for student employees. Click here to access an overview of Paid Leave Oregon versus Sick Time.

This program does not replace any existing leave programs such as the Oregon Family Medical Leave Act (OFLA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), or Oregon Sick Leave. When a request for paid leave also qualifies as leave protected under OFLA and/or FMLA, those leaves will run concurrently.

Applying for a leave

  1. Together with your supervisor, complete a leave of absence request form.  You do not need to share your diagnosis or any other medical information, however you must always provide the dates that you will be away from work, along with any work restrictions authorized by your medical care provider.

  2. If everything is in order, HR will approve your leave or provisionally approve your leave pending the receipts of a certification from your healthcare provider.

  3. You are required to provide medical or other certification within 15 calendar days after such information is requested.

  4. Once all required information has been received by human resources, you will receive, within five business days, a letter approving or denying your leave. In some cases (except for leave to care for a sick child), the college may require a second or third opinion, at the college’s expense. Employees also may be required to submit subsequent verification.

In accordance with the law, employees will not be asked for, nor should they provide, genetic information about themselves or a family member in connection with a FMLA/OFLA medical leave.

Other leaves