Caregiver Leave of Absence

An eligible employee who has to care for a child, parent, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, domestic partner, or designated person who has a "serious health condition" may request a caregiver LOA under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and/or California Family Rights Act (CFRA). Provided that the total medical and family leave period does not exceed 12 workweeks, as specified in the FMLA and CFRA policy, the employee will, upon return to work, be restored to his or her same position (when possible), or to an equivalent position with equivalent pay, benefits, working conditions, and other terms and conditions of employment. 

To be eligible for a job-protected leave under FMLA and CFRA, an employee must meet all of the following:

• Have been employed by the University for at least 12 months,
• Have completed at least 1,250 hours of service (an average of about 24 hours per week) during the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the date on which the leave commences, and
• Work in a location with 50 employees or within 75 miles of such location.

Employees who do not qualify or no longer qualify for FMLA and CFRA under this policy may be eligible for a LOA under the University's Supplemental Medical or Supplemental Personal Leave policies. Please contact Human Resources at benefits@pepperdine.edu for more information.

1. Employees are required to complete Pepperdine's Leave of Absence Intake Form.
2. Next, have your relative's medical provider complete the Medical Certification Form confirming they are under the medical care of a doctor; outlining the need for your support during illness and/or recovery; and include the effective date of the leave, estimated duration of care, and the doctor's signature and date. Please remember that neither you nor your relative's healthcare provider is required to disclose the specific diagnosis. Please return the completed Medical Certification Form before your leave begins to benefits@pepperdine.edu or should be faxed or mailed to:

HR Benefits Administrator
Human Resources
Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA 90263
Phone: 310-506-4397
Fax: 310-506-4839
benefits@pepperdine.edu

If the provider does not accept the third-party forms, you may submit a doctor’s note confirming that your relative is under the medical care of a doctor; outlining the need for the individual’s support during illness and/or recovery; and include the effective date of the leave, estimated duration, and the doctor’s signature and date.

If you are not a California resident, please contact Human Resources at benefits@pepperdine.edu for more information on your state’s leave policy.

California residents may be eligible to receive eight weeks of paid benefits under Paid Family Leave (PFL). PFL is a partial wage replacement benefit, offered by the State of California, and provides up to 70-90% of your gross salary while you are on an approved FMLA/CFRA leave for caregiving. 

Employees eligible for leave under CFRA are provided 12 workweeks of “caregiver leave” of which the first 8 weeks are partially paid by PFL.

coordination of benefits

Staff have the option to use accrued, unused sick and vacation to cover:

• The 10-30% of your gross salary that is not covered by PFL, and/or
• The last 4 weeks of parental leave that PFL benefits do not cover.
• You also have the option to take the leave unpaid.

Eligible faculty will receive salary continuation less any amount of PFL anticipated during the leave.

Apply for PFL

You may apply for PFL on the Employment Development Department's (EDD) website, https://edd.ca.gov/. When completing the form, please follow the steps below:

• On the Claims site, under the Paid Family Leave heading, select How to file a PFL Claim in SDI Online
• Follow each step below:
  • Gather your information/documentation
  • Register - Create a username and password or login to your existing account
  • File a claim: When filling out the SDI form, please make sure to answer "no" to the question "Has or will your employer continue to pay you during your disability leave?"
• Upload any required documentation that notates the Proof of Relationship, as applicable.

Please be aware that if you do not return to work after your CFRA (caregiver) leave, you will be required to repay the University the full cost of benefits extended to you during the CFRA portion of your leave. You should only apply for this leave if you are planning to return to work at the end of the leave period.

No repayment will be required if you are unable to return due to the continuation, recurrence, or onset of a serious health condition for yourself or eligible family members as certified by a medical provider, other circumstances beyond your control, or if you return to work for a minimum of 30 calendar days following the leave. If you believe that this type of circumstance applies to you, please contact Human Resources at benefits@pepperdine.edu for more information.