55.42 - Benefits During Sabbatical Leave
Owner:
- Position: Director of Human Resources
- Email: hr@uidaho.edu
Last updated: July 21, 2009
A. General. Group health benefits typically include medical with prescription drug coverage, some level of vision benefit and dental, life, dependent life, accidental death and dismemberment, and disability coverage which may be continued while on sabbatical leave as long as the salary is at least 50 percent of the full-time annual rate.
A-1. Medical and Dental Benefits. Medical and dental benefits remain the same as benefits for full time employees. To continue coverage for dependents, employees on Sabbatical who take unpaid time off must make arrangements with Benefit Services to pay the monthly cost of the dependent coverage otherwise withheld from earnings. If employees are paid during sabbatical leave, health costs continue as payroll deductions.
A-2. Life Insurance Benefits. Basic and Supplemental Employee Life insurance benefits may be continued at the same level of coverage in effect immediately prior to commencement of approved sabbatical. If the sabbatical is unpaid for longer than 12 full calendar months, life insurance coverage is discontinued. Rights to convert coverage to an individual policy may be available within the first 30-days of loss of coverage.
A-3. Disability Wage-Replacement Insurance. Disability wage-replacement benefits are contingent upon the annual salary paid. If sabbatical is leave without pay, there is no disability wage-replacement benefit. For more information contact Benefits Services at Benefits Email or (208) 885-3697.
A-4. Voluntary Benefits. Payroll deductions for all voluntary benefits will continue during paid sabbaticals. Unpaid sabbatical leaves require employees to make other arrangements directly with the vendor.
A-5. Sabbatical with Full Pay for Only a Portion of Leave. Employees electing to receive full salary for a portion of the sabbatical and to go on leave without pay status for the remainder, remain eligible for medical and dental benefits throughout the duration of the approved leave. During the period of full pay, deduction for the employees share of cost continue as described above in [A-1]. An employee must make arrangements to self-pay these cost once pay status during an approved sabbatical ends. Continued Life insurance is based on the same level of benefit in effect immediately prior to commencement of approved sabbatical. If the sabbatical is longer than 12 calendar months, life insurance is discontinued. Rights to convert coverage to an individual policy may be available within the first 30-days of loss of coverage.
B. Information. Employees planning to take sabbatical leave are encouraged to consult with Benefits Services, Benefits Email or (208) 885-3697, about the effects of salary reductions or interruptions on retirement and fringe benefits.