Duke recognizes that, during a regular staff member's career, circumstances may arise which require prolonged absence from work. Leaves of absence are available for this purpose.

A leave of absence requires the approval of the requesting employee's department.

University Employee Family Medical Leave (FMLA) is for an eligible University employee to care for their own Illness, Injury, Maternity or Paternity Leave.

University Family Member's Medical Leave (FMLA) is for an eligible University employee who needs to care for a covered family member who has a serious health condition.

Health System Employee/Family Member's Medical Leave (FMLA) is for an eligible Health System employee to care for their own Illness, Injury, Maternity or Paternity Leave or for a covered family member who has a serious health condition.

Military Caregiver Leave (FMLA) is for an eligible employee who is the spouse, son, daughter, parent or next of kin of a covered service member who is recovering from a serious illness or injury sustained in the line of active duty.

Qualifying Exigency (FMLA) is for an eligible employee with an immediate family member who has either been notified of an impending call or order to covered active military duty or who is already on covered active duty to manage the servicemember's affairs.

Personal Leave is any time off that is granted for reasons including (but not limited to) specialized experiences, family issues, extenuating personal needs, elective office, or formal studies that result in promoting the interests of Duke and/or the staff member. This type of leave also includes the time off given to any staff with an illness/injury or to those who are pregnant but do not meet the eligibility criteria for Family Medical Leave. For more information, please see the HR Policy Manual: Personal Leave and the checklist for employees on personal leave.

Military Leave will be provided to regular and benefits-eligible staff in accordance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and applicable North Carolina laws that protect individuals with military commitments from detrimental employment decisions based on those commitments. Military leaves of absence may be paid or unpaid leaves in accordance with the provisions of this policy. For more information, please the HR Policy Manual: Military Leave.

Paid Parental Leave is a benefit for an eligible employee to assist and support new parents in their balancing of work and family matters. This program provides staff with a period of time off for activities related to the care and well-being of their newborn or adopted child(ren).

Effects on Benefits

Learn how taking a leave of absence will affect your Duke benefits — including health and dental insurance, life insurance, and paid time off.