Steps for Taking Leave

  • Short Term Disability
  • Paid Family Leave
  • Maternity 
  • Parental/Baby Bonding

Review the following information regarding the leave application process and your responsibilities while on leave.  Following these steps helps ensure your leave request is processed in a timely manner and you remain in compliance with university leave policies.

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  • Notify your manager at least 30 days before your intended leave start date. Provide your estimated leave dates.
  • Prior to your leave: 
    • Discuss your work responsibilities and coverage with your manager. 
    • Update phone and email out-of-office messages with alternate contact information. 
    • Set up delegates in Workday for business process approvals, if applicable.
  • Review Tristar's Leave Request Reporting Instructions
  • Contact Tristar 30 days prior to start of the leave:
  • Report your leave type, your first day of absence, and your anticipated return date. 
  • After your initial intake, Yessica Torres of Tristar will phone you to review your leave details and required documentation. Tristar will email you leave information and documentation.

While You Are on Leave

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  • While on an approved leave of absence, you may not work in any capacity.
  • Please use your personal email to communicate with Tristar and USF.
  • Stay in touch with your manager, Tristar, and leaves@usfca.edu regarding any changes to your leave dates.
  • You are required to provide documentation to substantiate your leave from the university as soon as possible, but no later than the Tristar deadline.
  • Failure to meet the submission deadline will result in a denial of claim, not beingpaid by the university, and being out of compliance with university leave policies.
  • KAISER MEMBERS – Kaiser uses their own certification forms. Kaiser’s Release of Medical Information (ROMI) Department can assist your doctor in completing the Attending Physician Statement required to approve your claim. Information about how to request private disability forms from Kaiser can be found HERE.  
  • Sick hours will be used to supplement approved short-term disability and Paid Family Leave claims, unless directed otherwise. Only vacation hours can be used to supplement Baby Bonding claims.
  • Once sick hours are exhausted, vacation and other time off will be used, unless directed otherwise.
  • The Leave Manager will calculate and enter sick and/or vacation hours or the applicable faculty salary continuation provision into Workday.
  • Health benefits continue while on FMLA and/or CFRA leave, if eligible.
  • Your health insurance premium contributions will be deducted per regular pay schedule.
  • If time off balances are exhausted while still covered by FMLA/CFRA, health insurance premiums will go into arrears and will be collected when you return from leave.
  • Once time off balances or faculty salary continuation are exhausted, and you are no longer covered under FMLA or CFRA, your benefits will end at the end of the month. At that time, you will be offered continuation coverage through COBRA.
  • Confirm your return date with Tristar at least five days prior to your return.
  • If you are on leave for your own medical condition, you will be required to provide Tristar with return-to-work medical certification no later than two days before your return.
  • Please contact Tristar if you need a return-to-work certification form resent to you.
  • Kaiser members: Please contact the Release of Medical Information Department.

Questions? Please contact leaves@usfca.edu.