11.5 Work schedule and leave policy

The college strives to provide a workplace that supports both the education of student workers and the accomplishment of the work for which they are paid. As such, GAs (including GRAs, GTAs, and GAAs) within the College of Public Health are expected to be on duty in accord with this policy.

GA work schedules within the college are required to align with OAA’s published off-duty pay calendar for nine-month faculty. As such, the periods of time between the start and end of semesters for nine-month faculty (e.g., between Autumn and Spring) are not workdays. In addition, GAs are not required to work on Autumn Break, Thanksgiving Break (the day before Thanksgiving), and Spring Break.

GAs are also not required to work on legal holidays noted on the university calendar (currently: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Indigenous People’s Day/Columbus Day, President’s Day (Observed in December) and Christmas Day.

Most GAs are part-time student employees (50 percent time) and therefore do not meet the eligibility criterion for the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Policy 6.05. GAs, fellows and trainees do not accrue vacation or sick leave per se. GAs that have held an appointment for more than 60.1 percent FTE for an entire 12 month period may qualify for leave under FMLA and should contact their local unit and FML Administrator to determine eligibility.

The following guidelines apply to all students holding a GA appointment.

• Parental Leave. Up to six weeks of paid leave for childbirth or adoption. Parental leave should be discussed and planned with the supervisor and local unit with as much advance notice as practicable.
• In addition, faculty are encouraged to be flexible and work with their GAs during instances of personal and/or family illness, bereavement, or similar circumstances.
• Leave time is paid by the same source(s) that is currently employing the GA during the time the leave is taken.

The university has formalized a set of practices to be used by academic and administrative units at Ohio State to support GAs, fellows, and trainees during instances of personal and/or family illness, bereavement, childbirth, and adoption (Graduate School Handbook, Appendix F). Each situation will be individually addressed according to the specific research, teaching, or administrative context and the individual’s reason for requesting the leave. In the case that medical leave extends longer than recommended or leads to poor performance, the unit and GA, Fellow or trainee, can contact Integrated Absence Management and Vocational Services for guidance.