LEAVE TO DONATE BONE MARROW OR ORGANS

This policy applies to full-time and 32 hour per week classified salaried employees, University staff, and salaried research assistants..

This policy authorizes eligible employees to use up to 30 workdays of paid leave in any calendar year, in addition to other paid leave, to donate bone marrow or organs

DEFINITIONS

Bone Marrow/Organ Donor Leave
Paid leave under this policy provides eligible employees with the period that is medically necessary for donation of bone marrow or an organ and recuperation for up to 30 days in any calendar year.

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
Defines project grants to include fellowships, scholarships, research grants, trainee grants, traineeships, experimental and demonstration grants, evaluation grants, survey grants, construction grants, and unsolicited contractual agreements. (Available at http://www.cfda.gov )

Eligible Employee
A non-probationary classified salaried employee, University staff, or salaried research assistnat who presents medical certification supporting his or her intent to donate bone marrow or an organ.

• Employees who are on disciplinary suspension are not eligible to participate in this program.
• Restricted employees whose positions are contingent upon project grants as defined in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance may receive paid leave for bone marrow or organ donation only if the funding source has agreed to assume all financial responsibility for this benefit in its written contract with the Commonwealth.

REQUESTING LEAVE

Eligible employees must request leave according to University procedures prior to the effective date of the leave.

Medical Certification
Employees must submit medical certification to support the use and expected duration of the leave.

Family and Medical Leave
Bone Marrow and Organ Donor (BMOD) leave will not be considered Family and Medical Leave (FML).

Virginia Sickness and Disability Program (VDSP)
Because BMOD leave continues employees’ full pay, BMOD leave will not be considered VSDP leave. Therefore, employees who participate in VSDP must not contact UNUM regarding BMOD-related absences and will not receive VSDP benefits during periods that are certified for BMOD leave.

Workers' Compensation
If employees are receiving Workers’ Compensation (WC) benefits when they decide to donate bone marrow or an organ, the WC benefits will be suspended during the time certified for BMOD leave. When the BMOD period ends, WC benefits will continue, as appropriate.

RETURN FROM LEAVE

Employees returning from BMOD leave will be returned to the positions they held when the leave began.
 

EXTENSIONS OF LEAVE

Full-Time Employees
If it becomes medically necessary for an employee's BMOD leave to extend beyond the expected duration, up to 30 days in a calendar year, the time will be charged to other appropriate leave balances and may be considered FML (see Family and Medical Leave policy).

VSDP

Employees who participate in VSDP should contact UNUM according to program guidelines. In these cases, VSDP eligibility including the applicable waiting period would begin following the 30 days of BMOD leave.