Leaves of Absences
We understand that sometimes you face health and family challenges outside of work. There may be times that you need to take time off from work to deal with those challenges. Macalester College provides various types of leaves of absence should you need to leave work, from having a baby, to caring for a loved one, to serving in the military, to recovering from an injury or illness. In all cases, you will need to seek prior approval of the leave from AbsencePlus and submit required paperwork and documentation..
Leaves of Absences consist of two components: job protection and pay. Through the end of 2025, employees receive job protection through the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and/or through Minnesota Parental Leave (MPL). Both FMLA and MPL are unpaid leaves, meaning that under federal and state law, employers are not required to provide pay during the leave period. However, employees may choose to use their accrued vacation or sick time to continue receiving a paycheck while on leave.
Beginning in 2026, the Minnesota Paid Leave program will be introduced as a new type of job-protected leave. In addition to job protection, it will also offer partial wage replacement for eligible employees.
Types of Leaves of Absence
Below describes 5 kinds of leaves of absence available and provides guidance to employees wishing to pursue leave.
Parental Leave is an absence for a parent following the birth, adoption, or placement of a child.
Family Care Leave is an absence to care for a serious health condition affecting a spouse, domestic partner, parent, or child.
Medical Leave is an absence to care for a personal serious health condition, as confirmed by the employee’s healthcare provider.
Military Active Duty and Training Leave is absence for military reserve training, or for active military service for employees who enlist or are inducted into the armed forces of the United States.
Military Caregiver Leave is absence to care for a military service member who is the employee’s spouse, domestic partner, child, or parent with a serious illness or injury incurred in the line of active duty.
