Massachusetts Society of Professors

Faculty and librarians accrue sick leave each year, and can use paid sick days when ill.

Full-time librarians accrue 4.53 hours of sick leave in each two-week payroll period, up to fifteen days per year. Full-time faculty members on calendar-year appointments accrue 4.61 hours of sick leave in each two-week payroll period, up to fifteen days per year. Full-time faculty members on academic-year appointments shall accrue 3.07 hours of sick leave in each two-week payroll period, up to ten days per year. For part-time bargaining unit members with appointments of 50% FTE or more, accrual is pro-rated based on percentage and length of appointment. Bargaining unit members with appointments of less than 50% FTE are not eligible for sick leave.

Notification of absence due to illness must be given as early as possible on the first day of absence. For any period of absence of more than five consecutive days due to illness, the University may require a physician’s certificate.

Faculty who exhaust personal sick leave can use the Sick Leave Bank in case of their own illness or the illness of an immediate family member.

Upon return to work following sick leave in excess of five consecutive working days, the University may require a physical examination to determine the bargaining unit member’s fitness to perform his/her duties.

To Apply for Sick Leave:

1. Notify your chair or dean of your need to take leave. Sending an email is fine.
2. If you need to take sick leave for more than 5 five days then you will need to apply for FMLA to be used concurrently.
3. If you do not have enough accrued sick time to cover your leave, apply to the Sick Leave Bank.