Time Off and Leave

Montgomery College provides paid leave options under certain circumstances, including:

Bereavement

Employees may receive up to five (5) workdays of paid bereavement leave between the date of a family member’s death and the conclusion of the mourning period or burial. Supervisors may approve leave up to the maximum allowed. Bargaining unit employees should refer to their applicable agreement new window for specific details.

Court Attendance

Employees subpoenaed as a court witness or called for jury duty may receive paid court attendance leave for required court time and necessary travel time.

Employees must submit the appropriate time off form and a copy of the subpoena or summons to the Leave Request team.

Compensation received for service, excluding travel or other necessary uncompensated expenses, must be paid to the College unless the employee elects to use annual time off or leave without pay.

Annual Military Reserve Training

Employees who are members of the National Guard or United States Armed Forces Reserves may receive up to 15 calendar days of paid leave during a 12-month period for required military training under federal or state orders.

Paid leave may also be granted if a reserve unit is activated because of a civil disturbance or emergency.

Employees must submit the required leave form and military orders to the Leave Request team. Compensation received for active duty, excluding travel or other necessary uncompensated expenses, must be paid to the College unless the employee elects to use annual time off or leave without pay.

Professional Meeting

Granted for attendance at off-campus professional meetings that support both the employee’s professional growth and the interests of the College.

Professional Development Leave for Staff

Available to staff and administrators for up to one (1) semester or three (3) months at full pay.

To be eligible, employees must complete at least three (3) continuous years of service at Montgomery College and agree in writing to return to work for at least four (4) months for each month of leave taken.

Employees in temporary positions with benefits are not eligible.

Recess Leave

Recess leave is available to full-time counseling faculty. The number of days granted is based on years of full-time employment. Refer to the AAUP agreement  new windowfor details.

Workers' Compensation Leave

Workers’ Compensation new window benefits may provide wage replacement and coverage for reasonable medical expenses related to a work-related injury or illness.

HRSTM administers the Workers’ Compensation Program through CORVEL, the College’s contracted claims service provider.

Administrative Leave

Paid administrative leave may be granted when the health, safety, or general welfare of employees is at risk, or when leave is determined to be in the best interest of the College.

Administrative leave may apply to all employees or selected offices or employee groups.

Non-exempt staff designated as essential personnel and required to work during administrative leave receive one and one-half times their regular rate of pay for hours worked, in addition to regular pay.

Weather-Related Administrative Leave

Administrative leave is generally granted during weather-related emergencies when the College closes, not when classes are canceled only. When the College closes, staff are not required to report to work.

Operational Status Information  
Employees may check the College’s operational status through:

• Montgomery College ALERT new window (text and email notifications)
• The College website (PDF, )
• College email communications
• Employee voicemail announcements
• The College main phone line at 240-567-5000
• Television and radio announcements

Essential Personnel 
Essential personnel may include the chief administrative officer, director of College relations, director of facilities, campus facilities managers, general maintenance workers and supervisors, building service workers and supervisors, security officers and supervisors, building equipment mechanics, automotive mechanics, and trades helpers. Additional positions may be designated as essential by the chief administrative officer.

Employees who choose not to report to work because of inclement weather when the College remains open must report the absence as annual time off.

Employees may receive up to 12 months of leave without pay for reasons including family obligations, illness, disability, military service, maternity (beyond the disability period), professional development, travel, or other circumstances determined to be in the best interests of both the employee and the College.

Except for military service, employees on leave may continue participating in Montgomery College benefit plans by paying 100% of the cost.

Supervisors may approve leave without pay for one (1) to five (5) workdays. Leave exceeding five (5) workdays requires approval from the employee’s supervisor and the Vice President of Human Resources and Strategic Talent Management.

 If you have any questions, please email LeaveRequest@montgomerycollege.edu.

Under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), eligible employees may receive up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave.

To qualify, employees must:

• Have worked for Montgomery College for at least 12 months

• Have worked at least 1,250 hours during the previous 12 months

Eligible Reasons
FMLA may be used for:

• Birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child
• Care for a spouse, child, or parent with a serious health condition
• A serious health condition that prevents an employee from performing job duties
• Certain military family circumstances, including care for an injured service member

College Requirements

The College may require:

• Use of available sick leave concurrently with FMLA, when applicable
• Medical certification supporting a serious health condition
• A second or third medical opinion, at College expense
• Fitness-for-duty certification before returning to work

Insurance Coverage 
During approved FMLA leave, the College maintains group insurance coverage under the same conditions as if the employee were actively working.

These procedures are administered in accordance with FMLA regulations. Refer to The Employee’s Guide to the Family and Medical Leave Act (PDF, ) for additional information.

Disability Leave

Employees in regular budgeted positions may be eligible for disability leave after six (6) months of service. Employees in temporary positions with benefits are not eligible.

Employees unable to work because of illness or accidental injury may receive disability leave with pay for up to 12 months, subject to submission of required documentation to Human Resources.

After available sick leave and advanced sick leave are exhausted, salary continuation is provided as follows:

• Six (6) months to less than three (3) years of service: 50% of pay
• Three (3) years to less than 10 years of service: 60% of pay
• 10 or more years of service: 80% of pay
• Workers’ Compensation disability: 100% of pay*

Long-term disability benefits begin after 365 days of disability.

In Workers’ Compensation cases, employees are not required to exhaust sick leave before disability leave is authorized. Salary continuation may be reduced by other disability benefits or compensation received for rehabilitative work.

Employees participating in the Managed Care Program may receive 100% of pay for Workers’ Compensation disability. Employees not participating receive 66⅔% of pay, as required by Maryland law.

 If you have any further questions, please contact LeaveRequest@montgomerycollege.edu new window.

FAQs

Employees who work in regular budgeted positions may be eligible for disability leave if they have worked at least 6 months for the College. (Employees in temporary positions with benefits are not eligible for this particular benefit). Employees who have been disabled because of sickness or accidental bodily injury may be granted disability leave with pay during the first 12 months of disability. Proof of disability must be submitted to the Office of Human Resources. After all accumulated sick leave and advanced sick leave has been used, a percentage of the employee's salary will be continued according to the following:

• Employees with 6 months but less than 3 years of service 50% of pay
• Employees with 3 years but less than 10 years of service 60% of pay
• Employees with 10 or more years of service 80% of pay
• Workers' Compensation Disability 100% of pay *

Long-term Disability benefits are payable after 365 days of disability.

Learn more about Short Term Disability new window

In workers' compensation cases, the use of sick leave will not be required before Disability Leave is authorized. Salary continued by the College is reduced by other disability benefits or pay for rehabilitative work.

* The percent of pay for Worker' Compensation Disability applies if the individual is participating in the Managed Care Program. If not it is 66% 2/3 of pay as required by MD State Law.  If you have any questions, please contact us at LeaveRequest@montgomerycollege.edu.