Leaves of absence for military service will be granted in accordance with State and Federal laws for an eligible employee who is a member of the United States Armed Forces, the National Guard of any state or territory, whether active or reserve, service in a federally recognized auxiliary of the United States Armed Forces when performing official duties in support of military or civilian authorities as a result of an emergency, and any period an employee is absent for the purpose of medical or dental treatment for a condition, illness, or injury sustained or aggravated during a period of active service in which treatment is paid by the United States Department of Defense Military Health System.
Eligible employees are defined as anyone employed by Illinois State University for the duration of their expected, continued employment.
Employees are required to provide notice of an impending leave of absence for military service as soon as possible to their department and Human Resources.
Notice by appropriate military authority on official letterhead is required (i.e., military orders), unless the appropriate military authority deems an exception to advance notice.
Compensation while on a military leave varies based on the reason for leave. Compensation will be calculated in accordance with the Illinois Service Member Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (ISERRA) and University policy. In addition to compensation as defined by ISERRA, the University pays fifteen days of military leave at regular University pay for leaves not eligible for regular pay each calendar year.
For any full or differential compensation provided by the University, the University reserves the right to request documentation in the form of orders, pay advices, or other official means of communication.
Employees may elect to use vacation or compensatory time in lieu of differential compensation.
Differential compensation will not be paid for active service without pay.
Active Duty: During leaves for active duty, the employee is entitled to differential compensation during the entire period of active duty military service when the employee’s daily rate of base pay compensation for military service is less than their daily rate of compensation as an Illinois State University employee.
Annual Training: During leaves for annual training, the employee shall continue to receive regular compensation without any offset of their military pay for up to 30 days per calendar year. In instances where annual training exceeds 30 calendar days in a calendar year, differential compensation will be paid when the employee’s daily rate of base pay compensation for military service is less than their daily rate of compensation as an Illinois State University employee.
Voluntary Active Service: During leaves for up to 60 scheduled workdays within a calendar year for voluntary active service, differential compensation will be paid if the employee’s base pay compensation for military service is less than their regular University pay. The 60 scheduled workdays do not need to be consecutive.
Basic Training: During leaves for basic training, the employee is entitled to differential compensation for the entire length of training if the employee’s base pay compensation for military service is less than their regular University pay.
Other training or duty as required: For other training or duties required that do not fall into the above categories, differential compensation will be paid if the employee’s base pay compensation for military service is less than their regular University pay.
All benefits for employees on a military leave of absence for active service shall be continued by the University as mandated by State and Federal law.
Restoration of employment following a leave of absence for military service is administered in accordance with Federal and State laws. Employees are expected to communicate any changes to an expected return from leave date to Human Resources as soon as possible.
Policy Owner: Human Resources
Contact: Human Resources (309-438-8311)
Revised on: 12/2021
