Time Off & Leaves of Absence for Employees
Your life's journey matters to us. Whether you’re planning for the future or responding to the unexpected, the Office of People & Culture is here to provide compassionate support and practical resources.
We invite you to explore our leave and time-off options, designed to help you prioritize your health, your family and your peace of mind. At George Fox University, we are a community that cares.
Contact Us
Fax: 503-554-2194
Physical Address: 206 N. Meridian St., Newberg OR 97132
Mailing address: 414 N. Meridian St., Box 6180, Newberg, OR 97132
Holidays
The university offers at least 17 paid holidays annually to regular employees working at least half time, covering major breaks from New Year’s Day through Christmas. Refer to our Employee Handbook for details.
2025-26 Schedule
2026-27 Schedule
Leave Types
- Vacation Leave provides eligible employees with paid time off to rest, recharge and prioritize their personal self-care. The university recognizes the importance of taking time away from work to focus on physical and mental wellness.
- Whether you choose to travel or stay home to recover and reset, we support the use of your leave to maintain your health and well-being.
- Accrual rates, use and management of vacation time for all eligible employees can be found in the Employee Handbook.
- Sick Leave provides paid time off for your own short-term illness, medical appointments or to care for a family member’s short-term health needs.
- It is also used to supplement State Paid Leave or Short-Term Disability wage replacement to reach 100% pay.
- Absence exceeding three consecutive days that becomes a serious health condition requires a review for protected leave options like Family and Medical Leave.
- The university requires you to use available Sick Leave before taking unpaid time.
- Refer to our Employee Handbook for details.
This leave provides job-protected time off when a personal physical or mental health illness, injury or chronic condition prevents you from performing your essential job duties. It’s typically covered by Family and Medical Leave for job security and State Paid Leave for wage replacement.
Disability Insurance*, alongside your own accrued Sick Leave, work alongside these benefits to further supplement your income and bridge any remaining pay gaps during your recovery. Medical certification is required to verify the medical necessity and expected duration of the absence.
Employees are required to report their leave in a timely manner:
- For foreseeable leaves (e.g., planned medical procedures): At least 30 days’ notice
- For unforeseeable leaves (e.g., sudden illness or emergency): Within 24 hours of the leave start date
*George Fox University provides full-time employees with employer-paid disability insurance to safeguard their income during health-related absences. Short-Term Disability begins after a 14-day waiting period, covering 60% of your salary (up to $1,500/week) for up to 180 days or until you return to work. For extended recovery needs, Long-Term Disability then takes over to provide continued financial support, allowing you to focus on your health without the burden of total income loss.
Resources
- Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- State Paid Leave
- Short Term Disability Plan
- Long Term Disability Plan
- Employee Handbook: Leave Benefits
- Employee Assistance Program: Symetra
- Employee Assistance Program: Canopy
- Providence Health Plan: Behavioral Health Suite of Services
- Providence Health Plan: Care Management
This leave provides time off to help you grieve, make arrangements or attend services following the loss of a family member. Eligible employees are entitled to two weeks of job-protected leave per loss, provided it is completed within 60 days.
During this time, the university provides paid Bereavement Leave (up to five days), and you may use your own Sick Leave for additional pay replacement.
Please refer to the Bereavement Leave policy in the Employee Handbook for more information about eligibility, covered relationships and pay.
Resources
This leave allows you to care for a family member with a serious health condition, utilizing Family and Medical Leave for job protection, State Paid Leave and your own accrued Sick Leave for wage replacement.
Most family care requests require documentation to verify the family relationship and a medical certification to validate the medical necessity of the care and authorize time off.
Employees are required to report their leave in a timely manner:
- For foreseeable leaves (e.g., planned medical procedures): At least 30 days' notice
- For unforeseeable leaves (e.g., sudden illness or emergency): Within 24 hours of the leave start date
Resources
Maternity Leave is specifically for the birthing parent to cover pregnancy complications, recover from childbirth and bond with their new child, utilizing Family and Medical Leave for job protections and State Paid Leave, Disability Insurance*, University Paid Parental Leave and their own accrued Sick Leave for wage replacement.
Birthing parents on average qualify for 14 weeks of Maternity Leave.
*George Fox University provides full-time employees with employer-paid disability insurance to safeguard their income during health-related absences. Short-Term Disability begins after a 14-day waiting period, covering 60% of your salary (up to $1,500/week) for up to 180 days or until you return to work. For extended recovery needs, Long-Term Disability then takes over to provide continued financial support, allowing you to focus on your health without the burden of total income loss.
Parental leave is available to non-birthing parents to bond with a newborn or newly placed child within the first 12 months. Eligible employees may qualify for up to 12 weeks of Parental Leave. This leave is covered by Family and Medical Leave for job protection and State Paid Leave, University Paid Parental Leave, or an employee’s own accrued Sick Leave for wage replacement.
This leave provides protected time for employees to bond with a newly adopted or foster child aged 17 or younger. It includes time for required legal processes or placement activities. Eligible employees may qualify for up to 12 weeks of leave.
This leave is covered by Family and Medical Leave for job protection and State Paid Leave, University Paid Parental Leave, or an employee’s own accrued Sick Leave for wage replacement.
Please contact the benefits specialist for more information.
Employees are required to report their leave in a timely manner:
- For foreseeable leaves (e.g., planned medical procedures): At least 30 days' notice
- For unforeseeable leaves (e.g., sudden illness or emergency): Within 24 hours of the leave start date
Phase Back
George Fox provides a unique "phase back" program to help parents transition back to work at 100% pay. Employees must meet eligibility requirements; see employee handbook for details.
| Feature | Primary Caregiver* | Secondary Caregiver* |
|---|---|---|
| Phase Back Duration | 4 Weeks | 2 Weeks |
| Phase Back Pay | 100% of Regular Pay | 100% of Regular Pay |
| Phase Back Schedule | Weeks 1-2: 50% hours Weeks 3-4: 75% hours |
Weeks 1-2: 75% hours |
*Primary Caregiver: new mother or designated primary caregiver. Secondary Caregiver: father or secondary caregiver.
Resources
- Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- State Paid Leave
- Short Term Disability Plan
- Long Term Disability Plan
- Employee Handbook: Leave Benefits
- Employee Assistance Program: Symetra
- Employee Assistance Program: Canopy
- Providence Health Plan: Behavioral Health Suite of Services
- Providence Health Plan: Care Management
- Providence Health Plan: Maternity Services
- George Fox: New Parent Resources
Safe Leave provides protected time off for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, harassment, bias crimes or stalking, or for seeking legal, medical, or safety-related assistance for themselves or their child.
This leave is covered under Paid Leave Oregon for job protection and wage replacement. Eligible employees may qualify for up to 12 weeks of leave.
Employees are required to report their leave in a timely manner:
- For foreseeable leaves (e.g., planned medical procedures): At least 30 days' notice
- For unforeseeable leaves (e.g., sudden illness or emergency): Within 24 hours of the leave start date
Resources
- State Paid Leave: Paid Leave Oregon
- Employee Handbook: Leave Benefits
- Employee Assistance Program: Symetra
- Employee Assistance Program: Canopy
- Canopy: Dependent Care Support Guide
- Title IX Resources: If you or someone you love has experienced sexual assault, harassment or violence, the university has a wide range of resources available.
At George Fox University, Military Leave provides job-protected time off for service-related needs under federal and state law.
Eligible employees may take up to 26 weeks of leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to care for a covered service member or veteran with a serious injury or illness, while the Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA) allows for up to 14 days of leave per deployment for spouses or domestic partners.
In accordance with the Employee Handbook, these leaves are generally unpaid; however, employees are required to use their accrued sick leave and vacation time to remain in paid status during their absence.
Employees are required to report their leave in a timely manner:
- For foreseeable leaves (e.g., planned medical procedures): At least 30 days' notice
- For unforeseeable leaves (e.g., sudden illness or emergency): Within 24 hours of the leave start date
Resources
George Fox University provides job-protected leave for jury duty, offering regular employees up to one week of paid time off while allowing the use of accrued leave for extended service.
To ensure pay and position protection, employees must promptly notify their supervisor, provide court verification, and accurately record their service on timesheets.
Please refer to the Employee Handbook for more information.