How to Apply
Notify your supervisor of the need to for leave as soon as possible, preferably 30 days in advance for known leave dates.
Follow departmental call out procedures until approved, keep your manager informed of your expected return to work date or any extensions you may require.
Contact UNUM to apply for FMLA via phone at 866.269.0979 or online via their website. To apply online, you'll need to log in or register by clicking on the relevant link in the upper right corner of the website.
Intermittent FMLA
If you have an intermittent leave, you must notify Unum within 7 calendar days each time you need to take intermittent leave. In addition you also need to follow the standard notification process in your department to notify your supervisor.
If Unum is not notified within 7 days of using intermittent FMLA, your leave under FMLA may be delayed or denied.
UNUM tracks FMLA usage and notifies your supervisor listed in Workday of any approvals. Tracking of Intermittent FMLA is not required by departments; however, employees may mention their time off request is for FMLA in comments. UNUM will still need to approve the time as FMLA.
Pay while on Leave
Input any Paid Time Off to receive pay before other benefits are approved or in cases where benefits will not be applicable.
Non-Exempt employees submit your timecard for the pay period in which you are going on leave and when you return from leave. During your approved leave period, you will not need to submit a timecard.
Pay on FMLA is through your own Paid Time Off, Short Term Disability benefits (if you are eligible and qualify), Paid Parental Leave (if you are eligible and qualify), or Workers Compensation benefits (if approved).
You should contact your Short Term Disability vendor as soon as possible, if your benefits are not managed by UNUM. Employees in the VRS Virginia Sickness and Disability Plan (VSDP) contact Alight at 877-928-7021.
References:
Disability Benefits
Becoming a Parent
Workers Compensation
Benefits while on Leave
Benefits will continue during your leave of absence unless you request to waive benefits for a period of unpaid absence.
If you wish to waive your benefits while you’re on leave, you must do so within 60 days of the commencement of your unpaid leave of absence. The coverage changes will be effective the first of the month following receipt of your request if received within 60 days of the commencement of your unpaid leave date. You must make your request to askhr@virginia.edu with the subject “LWOP Benefits Waiver."
If you are on any period of Leave Without Pay (LWOP), you will owe the employee premiums for your benefits. For unpaid absences less than sixty days, benefits will be held in arrears and taken from the next check where pay is received. For unpaid absences over 90 days, employees will receive an invoice for premiums due.
PTO Accruals
Classified Staff: Annual accrual stops on any periods of LWOP or after 90 days on leave and resume upon your return to work. VSDP Family Personal and Sick Leave balances will not be replenished until you return to work, if you are on leave beyond the end of the Leave Year.
University Staff: Accruals continue while on FMLA