Leaves - FMLA, Maternity, Medical, NJ FLA, NJ FLI
Important First Steps
30-Day Advance Notice: Employees must provide Human Resources with at least 30 days' notice before taking leave.
Emergencies: In emergency situations, the 30-day requirement is waived, but proper documentation must be provided as soon as feasibly possible.
Leave Application: You must submit an official Leave Application to HR for every type of leave. HR will review and respond within 24 to 48 hours.
Board Approval: All leaves must be formally approved by the EWRSD Board of Education.
Paperwork Rules: FMLA forms must be completed in full before your leave. No photocopies or faxes are accepted.
Leave Extensions: If an extension is required, paperwork must be submitted before your initial leave end date. Late submissions may lead to a denied extension and stopped pay.
Health Benefits
Paid Leave: Health benefits (medical, dental, vision, prescription) continue normally while using accrued paid sick leave.
Unpaid Leave: Employees on unpaid leave receive up to 12 weeks of continued health coverage.
Premium Contributions: You must continue paying your required portion of insurance premiums. Failure to make payments will result in termination of benefits. The Benefits Department will send a statement outlining payment amounts and due dates.
Dropping Benefits: If you drop benefits during an extended leave, they can be reinstated upon your return to work.
Aflac & Disability Note: EWRSD does not participate in the State Disability program. Short-term disability coverage for pregnancy or surgery is available through private supplemental plans (e.g., Prudential for NJEA members/administrators, or Aflac during open enrollment).
***Contact Health Benefits at Lisa Tate.
Returning to Work
The employee will need to submit an original doctor’s certificate to the Human Resources Office. Employees may return to the worksite only after the doctor’s certificate has been received.
Rules/Regulations during your Approved Leave
An employee may not volunteer or perform any duties for EWRSD or utilize EWRSD property for personal use.
It is the employee’s responsibility to advise the principal/supervisor of the expected dates of the extended leave of absence.
If you fail to turn in a return-to-work doctor’s certificate, your pay will be stopped. Pay may not be processed by the next pay date following your reinstatement. Your pay will be adjusted over the remaining portion of the contract pay dates. No manual checks for retroactive pay will be processed.
If an extension is required, you must complete the approved paperwork prior to your initial leave date. If this is not completed on time, the leave could be denied, and pay will be stopped.
Employees failing to return to work after the 12 weeks of unpaid Family and Medical Leave may be asked to obtain a Fitness for Duty Physical by our district’s approved physician. (This does not apply to extended bonding leave)
Please direct all questions to:
Email Samantha Felicetta
Assistant Superintendent