Policy

A professional leave shall be available for managerial/professional staff to provide an opportunity to engage in research, enter an educational program or otherwise engage in a program of personal development aimed at improving professional skills mutually beneficial to the College and the employee.

This leave is also available to a faculty member who has taken on an administrative role for a period of at least 5 years and is leaving the administrative role and returning to faculty. This leave may allow the faculty member the time to prepare for their return to faculty

Reason for Policy

To set forth policies and procedures for the professional leave program for managerial/professional staff and eligible faculty.

To Whom Does The Policy Apply

Non-aligned professional staff and managers and eligible faculty who have completed a period of five (5) or more consecutive years of service at the College.

Related Resources

Procedure 615: Professional Leaves for Managerial / Professional Staff / Non-Aligned Non-AFT

Contacts

Employee Relations

Last revised: July 2023

I. Purpose
A professional leave shall be available for managerial/professional staff and eligible faculty to provide an opportunity to engage in research, enter an educational program or otherwise engage in a program of personal development aimed at improving professional skills mutually beneficial to the College and the employee.

II. Eligibility

Professional leaves are available to all full-time non-aligned Non-AFT managerial/professional employees and eligible faculty who, as of June 30 prior to the year for which the leave is requested, have completed a period of five (5) or more years of service at the College.

III. Number of Leaves Available

A limited number of professional leave opportunities will be available each year at the discretion of the President.

IV. Terms of Professional Leaves

1. The employee understands that, upon their return from the leave, their position may have changed due to operational needs and their salary, grade, and level will remain the same. However, if the leave is for the administrative employee who is returning to faculty, the salary rate during the leave will be at the faculty members’ previous salary prior to their assignment to Administration with all associated step increases had they never left their faculty position.
2. Half-year leaves shall be at full salary.
3. Full-year leaves shall be at the rate of three quarters (3/4) salary. If the leave is for the administrative employee who is returning to faculty, the salary rate during the leave will be at the faculty members’ previous salary prior to their assignment to Administration with all associated step increases had they never left their faculty position.
4. Half-year leaves shall be for six (6) months or less; and full-year leaves must be more than six (6) months but shall not exceed twelve (12) months. In no event shall a leave be approved for longer than twelve (12) months.
5. Professional staff, faculty, and managers on professional leave shall be entitled to the continuation of pension and insurance program benefits as provided in the applicable plans.
6. Professional staff, faculty, and managers on leave are permitted to receive additional compensation in the form of fellowships, government grants, and honoraria for purposes related to the leave. In addition to the partial salary from the College, they may also maintain part-time employment directly related to the project at an institution where they are in residence for the purpose of study and research, or other educational purpose provided that total compensation from all sources does not exceed the employee’s full salary at the College at the time of their leave. The leave may not be used to accept paid employment during the period of the leave except as provided above.

V. Leave Proposal/Request

The proposal for a professional leave must be reviewed by the supervisor and relevant Core Vice President prior to submission to People Operations and Employee Resources. The proposal must include:

1. A full description of the activity to be undertaken.
2. A detailed explanation of how this activity will improve professional skills and be mutually beneficial to the College and the individual.
3. The time period for which the leave is requested.
4. A description of anticipated additional compensation if applicable.
5. A description of the individual’s current role, their prior service to the College, and other contributions to the College community.

VI. Criteria

The following criteria shall be used in evaluating requests for a Professional Leave:

1. The merits of the project to the College.
2. The merits of the project to the professional development of the individual.
3. The feasibility of completing the project within the time frame stated in the proposal.
4. How the leave would impact the functioning of the Unit.

VII. Approval

1. The employee submits an application to their immediate supervisor outlining their request.
2. The immediate supervisor reviews the application and requests any additional information, if necessary.
3. The immediate supervisor forwards their recommendation and the application to the Unit Head/Supervisor and Core Vice President.
4. The Core Vice President forwards all documents and their recommendation to the Vice President for People Operations & Employee Resources.
5. The Vice President for People Operations & Employee Resources verifies the eligibility and forwards the applications to the President.
6. The President reviews the leave request and consults with the employee and/or Core Vice President for further information.
7. The President’s decision on approving or denying a leave is final and there is no opportunity for appeal.
8. All information is forwarded to the Board of Trustees through the Resources Committee for final action.

VIII. Conditions Regarding Subsequent Service at the College

Upon return from an approved leave, the employee shall submit a report to the President that contains the results of the project(s) undertaken during the leave. It should list a detailed description of the research, service, and work performed.
Recipients of the leave agree to serve the College for at least one year (12 months) from the conclusion of the leave, unless waived by the President. Failure to serve the College for the one year (12 months) will result in funds owed to the College by the employee, unless waived by the President.