55.38 - Continuation of Benefits during Leave With or Without Pay and Reduction in Appointment

A. General. Leave without pay (LWOP) and reductions in appointment (i.e. from 100% time to 75% time) affect benefit amounts, eligibility and cost to the employee. 员工和/或部门有责任在状态变化之前采取一定的行动. Group health benefits typically include medical with prescription drug coverage, some level of vision benefit and dental, life, dependent life, accidental death and dismemberment, and disability (not available on LWOP).

注:每项福利的范围和覆盖范围由当时有效的合同和计划文件规定.

A-1. Reasons for Reduction in Appointment or Placement in LWOP With or Without Benefits Status. Employees on regular appointment may have their appointment percentage reduced, or be placed on LWOP with or without benefits, for a variety of reasons including but not limited to:

i. When requested by the employee for a specific amount of time, and approved by the dean or director.

ii. When unable to work because of illness and annual leave, sick leave or shared leave are not available, or when on approved Family and Medical Leave.

A-2. Effect of Leave Without Pay or Reduction in Appointment on Other Benefits. 因为参加LWOP的员工或工作时间减少到100%以下的员工可能会受到其他福利的影响, 任何雇员在考虑雇佣状况的重大变化时，应向人力资源福利服务部门咨询有关变化对福利的影响.

i. Health Insurance.

a. LWOP. Eligibility for group medical/dental benefits are generally continued for up to one year. 此后，雇员可在批准的最低工作时间内自费继续参加健康计划. To continue employee and dependent benefits (if applicable), employees must make arrangements through Benefit Services to pay contributions while on leave.

b. Reduction in appointment percentage. Reduction in appointment may affect the contribution amount required by employees. Please contact Benefit Services for specific contribution amounts based on appointment percentages. Employee contribution amounts can also be found on the benefit website.

(1) For an employee with an 87.5% appointment or greater, 保险公司将继续为健康福利支付相同的雇主缴款，雇员将继续支付全额雇员缴款.

(2) For an employee whose appointment is less than 87.5% and at least 50%, 保险联盟将根据预约支付按比例支付的雇主健康福利缴款额，雇员将根据福利网站上列出的既定费率缴款额支付剩余缴款额.

ii. Group Term Life Insurance.

a. LWOP. For the first six bi-weeks of LWOP, group term life insurance benefits are continued in the full amount of annual salary immediately prior to the LWOP; contributions are paid by UI. After six bi-weeks of LWOP, 雇员可继续享受团体定期人寿保险福利，自LWOP开始之日起最多一年, by paying the contributions. 员工可以在LWOP期间(最多一年)继续参加可选人寿保险计划，但必须通过人力资源部门安排每季度支付保险费, in advance to the University.

b. Reduction in appointment percentage. Group term life insurance benefits continue, the amount of insurance coverage coincides with the reduced annual salary paid.

iii. Supplemental Term Life Insurance.

a. LWOP. 所有补充(自愿购买)人寿保险供款在休假期间继续进行，除非员工未能按照福利服务部门的账单缴纳供款, or designee, or elects to drop the insurance during an appropriate enrollment window. When reinstated to active duty, coverage may be elected based on the governing plan documents in effect at the time.

b. Reduction in appointment percentage. 补充人寿保险福利的缴款继续通过扣减工资的方式扣除，保险金额与减少的年薪相符.

iv. Short- and Long Term Disability Insurance.

a. LWOP. Disability benefits cease when an employee goes on LWOP with or without benefits, but are reinstated when an employee returns to active status.

b. Reduction in appointment percentage. Disability insurance benefits continue, the amount of insurance coverage coincides with the reduced annual salary paid. In particular, faculty on sabbatical for a full year at half pay have their disability coverage reduced proportionately; i.e., 60% of sabbatical salary.

v. Additional Benefits that Cease during a Period of Leave without Pay include tax-sheltered annuities, retirement and Social Security contributions. Accrual of annual and/or sick leave is also suspended. Call Benefit Services, 208-885-3697, for details on the Comprehensive Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1986 (COBRA), pre-tax spending accounts, continuation of medical benefits and the Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

B. Process. Authorization for reduction of appointment, or LWOP must be approved by the dean or director unless such reduction or leave is authorized by FSH 3710. 如果员工长时间缺勤，并且没有与缺勤原因相适应的累计或其他批准的假期，他或她也可能被自动列入LWOP.

C. Procedure.

C-1. 员工如欲减少任用或延长休假，应首先与主管或部门指定人员协商. When leave is approved, 雇员应与福利服务处协商，以安排福利的延续和支付. Procedures applicable to continuation of specific benefits follow:

i. Health Insurance. 雇员的健康保险在其工作满12个月期间继续享有，福利金按休假开始时的保险费率计算. If the LWOP is not with benefits, the employee may transition to COBRA.

If health insurance coverage is discontinued, 在以后的日期恢复计划可以完成(a)在定期公开招生期间, 或(b)在任何其他时间，根据计划文件，在员工返回有效的带薪状态. When an employee re-enrolls, 雇员在重新登记时可能会受到某些限制，例如更长的等待时间. Please see the current plan documents available from Benefit Services.

ii. Life Insurance. Basic group life insurance, dependent life insurance, 意外死亡和伤残保险按照休假时有效的计划文件继续承保. Please consult with Benefit Services for specific details.

iii. Disability Income Protection. Disability insurance cannot be continued while on leave without pay.

iv. Optional Deductions. Most optional deductions, including retirement participation, cease when an employee is no longer receiving a pay check. If eligible, employees may continue to participate in Supplemental Life Insurance as described above (A-2 (iii) a.)和灵活开支帐户，透过与福利服务机构作出付款安排，并在长期退休计划期间继续缴付每月供款.

C-2. Employee Procedures when Returning from Leave Without Pay Status. When returning from a period of leave without pay, 员工有责任联系福利服务部核实所有的福利和税务信息是最新的. 在LWOP期间停止的任何调整和/或福利申请都可以在此时处理.

C-3. Academic Year Employee Procedures for Summer Leave Without Pay. Permanently appointed academic year employees not receiving salary checks during the summer months from their regular appointment, will be placed in a 20-pay calendar for benefits. The benefits for the full 12 months will be deducted from the 20-pays received.

C-4. Departmental Procedures. 各部门将提交适当的工作津贴表，以在休假或减聘期间减薪或低薪工作津贴, or until the end of the fiscal year. If LWOP or reduction in appointment extends into the following fiscal year, 计时员需要在Banner HRIS中重新输入该员工的状态，以便继续进入下一个财政年度.

Exception. When LWOP results from being absent from work with no remaining annual leave, sick leave, shared leave or compensatory time, and when no other leave has been approved, Banner Payroll流程将自动为受影响的双周工资周期的员工扣薪. 各部门需要与福利服务部门合作，以确保为LWOP的任何员工处理适当的福利缴款.

D. Information. 因为其他福利也可能会影响到那些被安排在LWOP的员工，或者那些被减少到不到100%的时间的员工, 任何雇员在考虑雇佣状况的重大改变前，应先向福利处咨询, if possible, regarding effects of the changes on benefits.

D-1. 请致电福利服务部了解有关1986年综合预算和解法案(COBRA)的详细信息或, continuation of core and voluntary benefits.

D-2. All benefits are explained at Employee Benefits Orientation. For information on Sick/Annual Leave [see FSH 3710].

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