Before you request a leave of absence, it’s important to understand that there are two components to taking leave: Time Away and Pay. Time Away and Pay (if eligible) are certified and approved by our leaves of absence administrator, Lincoln Financial Group.
The Leaves of Absence Tool will help you plan and understand the time off, job protection, pay benefits and timekeeping instructions that apply once your leave and disability claim is approved.
If you are eligible for this type of leave, you can take up to 12 weeks of job-protected time, in a rolling 12 months, away from work for qualifying reasons. Time away under FMLA can be taken continuously or intermittently. Qualifying reasons include your own illness; caring for a family member; birth, adoption, or foster care placement; and caring for family due to a family member’s military active duty.
You are eligible for this leave if you have worked for 12 months and have worked at least 1,250 hours in the 12 months before your leave begins.
If you don’t meet the eligibility criteria for FMLA, this leave lets you take up to 12 weeks, in a rolling 12 months, away from work for qualifying reasons. Unlike FMLA, this is not job-protected time away. Time away under REI Medical Leave can be taken continuously or intermittently. Qualifying reasons include: your own illness; caring for a family member; birth, adoption or foster care placement; and caring for family due to a family member’s military active duty.
If you are out for your own illness or bonding leave, an added 14 weeks of leave is provided under REI Extended Medical Leave.
A personal leave of absence can be taken for a lifetime adventure, relocation, family issues/support, personal hardship or academic pursuit. Personal leave is not job-protected and is subject to manager/business approval. A personal leave must be continuous and at least two weeks in duration, and no more than a maximum or 12 weeks can be taken in a rolling 12-month period. You can separate the 12 weeks in up to two occurrences with the 12-month period.
Military leave allows you to take time off for your military service. Under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Act of 1994 (USERRA), you are entitled to take leave to serve in the uniformed services (including the Armed Forces of the United States, the Armed Forces Reserves and the National Guard) and undertake certain types of service in the National Disaster Medical System.
REI’s disability programs provide pay replacement when there is an approved disability claim due to a non-work-related illness or injury.
When you have an approved disability claim, all hourly benefits-eligible employees who have met 20 hours or more in the evaluation period (except HQ and retail management) are covered under STD after a five-day waiting period. STD does not apply to employees who are eligible for or enrolled in the REI Access Plan.
Your approved disability pay is based on your Average Weekly Hours at the time your leave of absence begins. You can view your Average Weekly Hours in employee self-service under Myself > Personal > Status/Key Dates.
Eligible hourly retail and OPO management, salaried and headquarters employees are covered by the Salary Continuation Plan. When you have an approved disability claim with Lincoln Financial, salary continuation provides:
Certain states provide disability insurance and/or paid family leave benefits. Other states mandate required coverage for employers.
States with Paid Leave Programs: California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, Washington DC
States with UPCOMING Paid Leave Programs:
If you live in a state that issues disability insurance or paid family benefits, you need to review your state’s website and apply for benefits through your state in addition to filing your leave with Lincoln Financial. REI disability pay is offset (reduced) by the amount you receive from the state. The Leave of Absence tool provides more information on how these benefits coordinate in your situation. Review the LOA Contacts page for information on how to access and file for your state benefits.
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