To support employees’ commitment to family responsibilities, a substantial change in Duquesne’s sick-leave policy will now provide for employees to use some of their sick days to provide medical-related care for family members.
“I believe the amendments to policy are in keeping with our family-oriented culture at Duquesne and will support employee work-life balance needs,” said Ryan Dawson, acting director of the Office of Human Resource Management. “It’s a significant change that stands to help a lot of employees.”
Previously, sick days were only to be taken for the individual employee. The policy, effective immediately according to the updated TAP 15, provides for up to five sick days per calendar year to be used as an employee’s sick leave to provide medical-related care to a spouse, child, parent or sibling. On a case-by-case basis, medical documentation may be requested by the disability claims manager and/or supervisor.
The updated policy impacts faculty, administrators and non-unionized support staff. For salaried positions, the family care sick days will be taken in half-day increments. Hourly employees will have their sick leave charged for the work hours they missed. Employees covered by collective bargaining agreements will continue to follow contract language.
Additional family care time may be requested, as according to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and the time taken may or may not be counted under FMLA, depending on the circumstances and medical need.
Questions about the updated policy may be directed to Marissa Sundberg at 412.396.6677.