Leaves of Absence | Baylor Scott & White Health

The Basics

The main things to think about when taking a leave of absence are:

What type of leave am I eligible for?
How long can I be out?
Is my job protected?
Will my time away be paid or unpaid?

It is important to understand that how your leave is administered is different than how you are paid on leave. Using available paid time off (PTO) and/or short-term disability are the only ways to receive income replacement while on a leave of absence. There are various leaves of absence available to you, depending on your situation.

IMPORTANT: If you've been diagnosed, treated or received medical advice for a condition within three months of your effective date on the plan, your condition may be excluded for coverage under STD. Learn more about pre-existing conditions.

Types of Leave

As a BSW employee, you may be eligible to take a leave of absence for reasons related to your own medical condition, a family member's serious condition, military service and/or personal reasons.

Family medical leave (FMLA)
Company medical leave
Personal leave
Military leave
Leave as an Accommodation
Safe Choice

Family medical leave (FMLA)

Allows eligible employees to take unpaid, job-protected leave for their own or their family members’ serious health condition (up to 12 weeks).

Medical Leave Guide Parental Leave Guide

Company medical leave

Allows eligible employees to take time off for their own serious health condition if they do not meet eligibility under FMLA time (up to 180 days).

View Types of Leave Medical Leave Guide Parental Leave Guide

Personal leave

Allows eligible employees to take time off for reasons that do not meet eligibility under FMLA or company medical leave.

Military leave

Allows employees to take time off for military service.

Leave as an Accommodation

Allows eligible employees to take leave as an accommodation under the Americans with Disability Act (ADA).

Safe Choice

Supports recuperation and rehabilitation for employees who are out of work due to work-related injury or illness.

How You Are Paid

There are two possible ways to receive full or partial income replacement depending on the type of leave you take. View section above for more details.

Paid time off (PTO)

Use your available time off for full income replacement. (Note: Available PTO would be used and exhausted for the duration of your leave.)

Short-term disability (STD) insurance

Provides income replacement up to 180 days if you suffer a non-work-related injury, illness or pregnancy that prevents you from working. (Important: you must be enrolled to receive this benefit). PTO is used to cover the seven-day elimination period, and will also be used to supplement coverage if less than 100% of pay.

Visit the Disability page to learn more.

Steps to Take

Initiate a leave

Familiarize yourself with the resources

As a BSW employee, you may be eligible to take a leave of absence for reasons related to your own medical condition, a family member's serious condition, military service, and/or personal reasons.

View the LOA Policy
Download the LOA Checklist (note: log-in required)

Notify your manager of your leave request

Be sure to give your manager at least a 30-day notice, when possible.

Contact the Absence Center

To begin the process, contact the Absence Center online via PeoplePlace > Absence Center or directly from mySedgwick.com/BSWH.

Click "Report a New Claim"
Follow the steps to submit your claim
For additional help: Watch the overview video

You may also call 844.511.5762 Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT to start a claim.

Receive confirmation of your leave

Once your documentation has been received, a case manager will notify you and your manager whether your leave has been approved or denied.

Complete the review process

Promptly reply to any requests for information

For additional help: Watch the new claim video

Look for a determination

Once you submit complete documentation, the Absence Center will make a decision and notify you within two business days.

Take action while on leave

Check the Absence Center website for updates

Visit the Absence Center online via PeoplePlace > Absence Center or directly from mySedgwick.com/BSWH.

You may also call 844.511.5762 Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT with questions.

Continue your benefits while on leave

Benefits for you and your dependents will continue while you are on a paid leave of absence. If you are on an unpaid leave, you will be billed for your benefit premiums by our third-party vendor, Optum. Be sure to pay promptly to avoid termination of your coverage.

For questions about your billing, call Optum at 855.409.7029.

Add a dependent to your benefits (if applicable)

If on leave for welcoming new baby or newly placed adopted/foster child, remember to add your new dependent to your benefits. Visit PeoplePlace > Benefits Detail to submit a life event.

Remember to add your dependent within 30 days of the birth or placement.

Maintain your certifications and/or vaccinations (if applicable)

Ensure you maintain any necessary required licenses and/or certifications. If your license or certification expires during your leave, it is your responsibility to renew them prior to your return. You will not be able to return to work if these are expired.

In addition, ensure all mandatory vaccine requirements at met prior to returning to work.

Return from leave

Notify the Absence Center and your manager

Visit the Absence Center online via PeoplePlace > Absence Center or directly from mySedgwick.com/BSWH to report your return.

You may also call 844.511.5762 Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT with questions.

If you are released with restrictions, your restrictions must be approved prior to returning to work. If your department is not able to accommodate your restrictions, you may be required to remain on leave.

Understand the return process

Check out the return from leave video to prepare for your return to work so you know what to expect.

Resources

View the resources below for additional information.

Absence Center
Leave of Absence Policy & FAQs
Types of Leave
Leave of Absence Checklist
Medical Leave Guide
Parental Leave Guide
Military Leave Guide
User Guide: Portal Navigation
Leader Resources

Absence Center

Visit the Absence Center to initiate a leave, get assistance or find more information.

Portal: 24/7
Call: Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT

Leave of Absence Policy & FAQs

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View policy View FAQs

Types of Leave

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View Types of Leave

Leave of Absence Checklist

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View Checklist

Medical Leave Guide

View Medical Guide

Parental Leave Guide

View Parental Leave Guide

Military Leave Guide

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Military Leave Guide

User Guide: Portal Navigation

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View User Guide

Leader Resources

Visit Manage Your Team > Leaves of Absence

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View Leader Resources

This site summarizes the programs and benefits available to employees and their eligible dependents. Official plan documents, policies and certificates of insurance that contain the details, conditions, maximum benefit levels and restrictions on benefits govern our benefits program and are available on this site. In case of a conflict between this site and the official documents, the official documents prevail. The information on this site isn't a guarantee of benefits. Baylor Scott & White reserves the right to modify or terminate its employee benefit plans and programs at any time for any reason.

Click here if you have feedback on the website or need to report an issue. All other questions and issues, please contact the corresponding resource on the Need Help page.

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