Overview
Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML)/Paid Leave Oregon (PLO)
As a UO employee, graduate employees (GEs) are eligible for up to 12 weeks* paid employment leave under the Paid Leave Oregon (PLO) program.
*Certain pregnancy-related conditions qualify for an additional 2 weeks of paid leave.
Questions? See the FAQs for more details on the process, PLO benefit amounts, and more -or- email uopaidleave@uoregon.edu.
Graduate Employee Family and Medical Leave (GEFML) - Unpaid
GEFML is defined in Article 29 of the GTFF Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
If a GE is on Paid Leave Oregon (PLO), they are automatically also placed on GEFML, and it runs concurrently with PLO for the first 12 weeks, after which the GE may be eligible for an additional 4 weeks of unpaid GEFML.
If a GE is NOT on PLO, they may be eligible for up to 16 weeks of unpaid employment leave as defined by the CBA.
Questions? Contact the Office of Human Resources at hrleaves@uoregon.edu.
Academic Leave
If requesting 5 weeks or more of PLO or GEFML during a given academic term, you may be eligible for full academic leave or part-time enrollment for that term.
Important: International students are subject to additional enrollment requirements based on their visa status. Please check with International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) to explore your options.
If requesting less than 5 weeks of PLO during a given academic term, you cannot request academic leave for that term. You must remain enrolled in a minimum of 9 credits.
Visit the link below to learn more about applying for academic leave:
Coverage During Your Leave
Paid Leave Oregon
Salary/Wage Replacement: Paid (Amount calculated upon applying for PLO. GEs may use sick leave as a "top-off" to increase benefit amount if the calculated benefit is less than one's usual wage.)
GTFF Insurance: Maintained
Tuition Waiver and Fee Subsidy: Covered (If this is not your first time filing for PLO, a general petition is required.)
GE Family and Medical Leave
Salary/Wage Replacement: Unpaid
GTFF Insurance: Varies (Email the Division of Graduate Studies for a consultation.)
Tuition Waiver and Fee Subsidy: Varies (Email the Division of Graduate Studies for a consultation.)
Effect of Employment Leave on Guaranteed GE Funding
Taking Paid Leave Oregon (PLO) or GE Family Medical Leave (GEFML) does not automatically extend your guaranteed period of GE funding that you received in your official funding offer letter at the time of admission. An extension may be possible if funding is available.
If you have questions about how taking PLO or GEFML may affect your guaranteed funding period, contact your academic unit to discuss your circumstances and whether additional funding may be available.
In addition, all students are welcome to apply to open GE positions.
Questions?
If you have any other questions, email us at graduatestudies@uoregon.edu. We look forward to speaking with you!