The 91Ï㽶¶ÌÊÓƵ System offers a comprehensive leave program designed to support the wellbeing, work-life balance and personal needs of our employees. Our leave structure includes three key categories: fixed, flexible and extended/qualifying. 
Additionally, the University offers other leave types such as military, voting, bereavement, legal proceedings, and organ and bone marrow donations.
For information on leave types, see the HR-400 Leaves Index. Leave works differently for faculty appointments; see Collected Rules and Regulations, Section 340.070: Faculty Leave for details.
Primary Leave Categories 
Primary Leave Categories 
Fixed Leave
Holidays & Winter Break 
These are designated days when the University is closed.
Fixed leave includes University holidays and winter break.
Eligible employees automatically receive this time off as part of their benefits. 
Flexible Leave
Paid Time Off (PTO) 
Our paid time off (PTO) program for benefit-eligible staff provides flexibility to use leave when it works best for you whether for rest, vacation, personal errands or unexpected needs.
Eligible employees accrue PTO and may use it throughout the year. You can view your PTO accruals anytime using  myHR (UKG for MU Health Care).
Extended & Qualifying Leave
Short-Term Disability, Parental & Caregiver Leave 
Certain life events and health needs are supported through additional University provided leave options for benefit-eligible staff.
Qualifying leave includes: short-term disability for eligible medical conditions; parental leave for birth, adoption or foster placement; and caregiver leave to support immediate family members with serious health needs.
Leave Structure
Employees have a single bank of days they may use for sick, vacation or personal time. They also have access to paid short-term disability, parental and caregiver leave. Accruals of flexible leave are dependent on years of service and exempt status.
| Accruals | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed Leave | Holidays 10 days per year | Winter Break* 4 days per year | |
Flexible Leave (Paid Time Off) Days Per Year ** | Years of Service Less than 5 years 5-15 years 15 or more years | Non-Exempt (Hourly) 18 days (144 hours) 23 days (184 hours) 28 days (224) | Exempt (Salaried) 23 days (184 hours) 28 days (224 hours) 28 days (224 hours) |
| Qualifying Leave | Short-Term Disability*** Covers 60% of employee’s pay for up to 20 weeks | Parental Leave Covers 100% of employee’s pay for up to four weeks | Caregiver Leave Covers 100% of employee’s pay for up to two weeks |
*Winter Break does not apply to the operations of 91Ï㽶¶ÌÊÓƵ Health Care or employees in that unit.
**Hours will be prorated for employees working less than 100% FTE. MU Health Care hourly employees will also have a PTO cash-in option.
*** This does not include the Short-Term Disability buy-up option
Banked Sick Leave
Banked Sick Leave
91Ï㽶¶ÌÊÓƵ System employees should use available PTO when they need to be out for a sick day. However, employees with accrued, or banked, sick leave from the former staff leave plan that ended Dec. 31, 2023, may access their sick leave for specific situations.
Additional Leave Options
Additional Leave Options
FMLA Job Protection
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that allows eligible employees to take job protected leave for certain family and medical situations. This includes time away for personal health needs, caring for a family member or specific circumstances affecting military families.
Additional Leave Options
The University provides several additional leave options to help employees manage life’s responsibilities and unexpected events. These programs offer support during times of personal loss, civic participation, professional growth and certain medical or military circumstances. Each option is designed to give you the time and flexibility needed to balance work with life outside the workplace. 
Faculty Leave
Faculty members have access to a variety of types of leave, for professional and personal reasons, within certain specifications. Each campus will develop an application and review process for approving leaves and stipulating the duration (not to exceed one year).