If you are thinking about applying for a leave of absence, changes are coming to the process for requesting Family Medical Leave (FML), Short-Term Disability (STD) and Paid Parental Leave (PPL). Effective February 1, 2020, all new FML, STD and PPL leaves will no longer be reviewed and approved by Broadspire, a third-party administrator. These leaves will be handled by the FMLA Administrator within the Division of Human Resources. 

The current application process through Workday will remain the same and staff can continue to request leave through the self-service portal (see instructions below). However, you will have to submit your paperwork to the FMLA Administrator, instead of Broadspire. 

This change applies to new leaves beginning on or after February 1, 2020. If you are currently on an approved FML, PPL or STD leave, there will be no changes to your approval. If your request for a FML, PPL or STD leave is pending as of February 1, 2020, Broadspire will continue to administer your leave request until the end date of that leave. If you have any questions about a pending leave request, please contact Broadspire at (866) 357-1122.

How to Apply for a Leave of Absence: 

To apply for FML or PPL leaves, you can log into Workday and follow the steps outlined in the Workday tip sheet and summarized below. 

• Go to the Workday “Time Off and Leave” application
• Click on “Request Leave of Absence”
• Enter the “First Day of Leave” and the “Estimated Last Day of Leave”
• Click on Leave Type “FMLA” or “PPL” and scroll down to locate the type of FMLA or PPL leave you are requesting
• Once the request is submitted, you will receive a notification email from Workday to complete the appropriate leave request forms. You can download a Leave Request Form kit that matches your desired leave from the Requesting a Leave of Absence webpage at https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay/requesting-a-leave-of-absence  To complete your leave request, you must have the forms completed by your physician and return them to the FMLA Administrator at the University via fax at (215) 405-2929, or you can scan and email them to fmla@hr.upenn.edu Your leave will remain “pending” in Workday until you return all required forms for approval.

This change affects the following policies: 

• Family Medical Leave (FMLA)
• Paid Parental Leave (PPL)
• Short-Term Disability (STD), and 
• Sick Leave and Short-Term Disability for Faculty and Employees at or Above Position Grade 29 or Grades E, F, G, H.  

Please visit the Policy Manual webpage at https://www.hr.upenn.edu/policies-and-procedures/policy-manual to view the updated policies. 

—Division of Human Resources