Columbia University’s Living Organ Donation Paid Leave Policy
Policy Statement
Columbia University provides all full-time employees not covered by a collective bargaining agreement paid leave of up to four weeks in a rolling 12-month period to donate an organ to another person, and up to five business days in a rolling 12-month period of paid leave to donate bone marrow to another person.
Full-time employees not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
Full-time employees not covered by a collective bargaining agreement and Human Resources personnel.
This policy describes a paid organ donation leave available to full-time employees not covered by a collective bargaining agreement working for Columbia University.
Overview
Columbia University provides all full-time employees not covered by a collective bargaining agreement paid leave of up to four weeks (or equivalent if taken intermittently) in a rolling 12-month period to donate an organ to another person, and up to five business days in a 12-month period of paid leave to donate bone marrow to another person.
Leave under this policy may be taken intermittently. For example, Organ Donation Leave may be taken for a set period of time, on a reduced schedule, or sporadically and days may be taken for time needed to be evaluated to serve as an organ donor, for the organ donation procedure itself, and for recovery time to the extent prescribed by the physician/surgeon, not to exceed the time periods designated above for each type of donation. In case of unforeseen medical issues, employee may be eligible for additional medical leave. Please contact [email protected] for more information.
To the extent state law provides for additional or greater benefits than set forth in this policy, employees shall have the benefit of the most generous provision.
Eligibility
To be eligible for paid leave under this policy, full-time employees not covered by a collective bargaining agreement must have been employed in a full-time status with Columbia University for one year immediately preceding the commencement of leave. This leave also requires the approval of the employee’s department and the Vice President for Human Resources or his or her designee. Finally, Columbia will require written certification from the attending physician/surgeon that the employee is a bone marrow or organ donor.
Process
- Eligible employees requesting leave under this policy must first secure the approval in writing of their direct supervisor, and the Vice President for Human Resources or his or her designee This approval should be secured with as much advance notice as possible.
- In support of their request for leave under this policy, eligible employees must provide Leave Management with certification by either the physician performing the evaluation or the surgeon performing the transplant, confirming the employee’s status as a Living Organ Donor. The certification should be provided no later than one week prior to the commencement of leave except in an emergency situation in which case the certification must be provided within ten (10) days following the commencement of the leave. Failure to provide the medical certification will result in denial of Living Organ Donor Leave. A recertification of leave, if the leave is to be extended for personal medical complications and fitness to return to work note will be required.
- During leave under this policy, Columbia will maintain coverage for employees and their dependents who participate in Columbia’s benefits programs on the same terms as if the employee had continued to work. This requires that employees maintain their financial contribution to these benefits during their leave. Note: Officers do not accrue vacation or personal days during a paid leave of absence (for one or more whole months, or for 30 calendar days or longer).
- Upon returning from leave under this policy, employees will be restored to their positions, or to equivalent positions, with equivalent pay, benefits, and other employment terms and conditions.
- Under this policy, Organ Donation Leave consists of an approved leave of up to four weeks and bone marrow donation leave consists of five days, and will run concurrent with the University’s salary continuation benefit. Please see the Medical Leave of Absence: Full Time Officers of Administration for more information.
- Employees with questions regarding this policy should contact Leave Management [email protected], (212) 851-0698.