Crisis Leave

The Crisis Leave Program is a means of providing paid leave to an eligible employee who has experienced a catastrophic illness or injury to themselves or eligible family member. The intent of the program is to assist employees who, through no fault of their own, have insufficient paid leave to cover the crisis leave period. 

Requirements

An eligible employee – Eligible employee is an employee of Louisiana State University (the “University”) who is eligible to earn annual leave in accordance with section IV of this policy. Classified employees must have attained permanent status to donate or use crisis leave.

An eligible family member – an individual living in the same household who is related to the employee by kinship, adoption, or marriage or a foster child so certified by the Louisiana Office of Children’s Services, or b. an individual not living in the same household who is related to the employee by kinship, adoption or marriage, and is totally dependent upon the employee for personal care or services on a continuing basis.

An eligible employee may apply to receive crisis leave if the following requirements are met:

  • The employee or employee's eligible family member suffers from a catastrophic illness or injury; and
  • The employee has exhausted all appropriate leave in accordance with this policy; and
  • The employee has exhibited satisfactory attendance (with no history of leave abuse), and is not absent from work due to disciplinary reasons; and
  • The catastrophic injury or illness is not occupationally related (therefore making that employee eligible for workers' compensation) or was not attained in the commission of an assault or felony; and
  • Performing his/her duties for a period of more than ten consecutive days and forces the employee to exhaust all appropriate leave described in other parts of this policy and to lose compensation from the state; and
  • The appropriate documentation from a Licensed Medical Service Provider (LMSP) is provided to the Leave Pool Manager.

Resources

Employee Leave (ps-12)

Crisis leave donation form

Crisis leave request form

FMLA Certification form for self

fmla certification form for family member

Frequently Asked Questions

Crisis Leave is a paid leave benefit available to eligible Louisiana State University employees who experience a catastrophic illness or injury affecting themselves, an eligible family member, or a significant other, and who have exhausted all appropriate paid leave. The program is intended to assist employees who, through no fault of their own, lack sufficient paid leave to cover the crisis period.

You may apply for Crisis Leave if all of the following conditions are met:

  • You are an LSU A&M employee eligible to earn annual or sick leave under PS-12.
  • You, an eligible family member, or a significant other suffers from a catastrophic illness or injury, or you experience the birth or adoption of a child and lack sufficient paid leave to cover a minimum of six weeks immediately following the event.
  • You have exhausted all appropriate leave, including annual, sick, and compensatory leave, as applicable.
  • You have a satisfactory attendance record with no history of leave abuse and are not absent due to disciplinary action.
  • The illness or injury is not occupationally related (i.e., not covered under Workers’ Compensation).
  • You provide required medical documentation from a Licensed Medical Service Provider (LMSP).

A catastrophic illness or injury is a severe condition that:

  • Affects the physical or mental health of the employee, eligible family member, or significant other;
  • Requires the services of a Licensed Medical Service Provider for a prolonged period; and
  • Prevents the employee from performing their job duties for more than ten (10) consecutive days, resulting in loss of compensation after exhaustion of paid leave.

No, employees are not required to donate leave in order to be eligible to receive Crisis Leave.

  • Up to 240 hours may be granted to an eligible employee within a calendar year.
  • Crisis Leave may not extend an employee’s total paid leave status beyond twelve (12) weeks.
  • Leave granted is subject to availability in the Crisis Leave Pool at the time of request.
  • Crisis Leave is paid at a maximum of 75% effort.

Employees do not accrue paid leave while using Crisis Leave.
For birth or adoption, up to six weeks of leave may be granted if the employee lacks sufficient paid leave.

  1. Complete a Crisis Leave Request Form.
  2. Submit the request to the FMLA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resource Management or email the form to hrfmla@lsu.edu
  3. Include a completed FMLA Certification Form or equivalent medical documentation.

Requests are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. When possible, requests should be submitted at least ten (10) days before leave is needed.

  • The Leave Pool Manager will review all documentation to determine eligibility and submit the request to the Crisis Leave Committee for review.
  • If approved, hours are credited directly to the employee’s leave record.

All requests and documentation are treated as confidential.

  • Crisis Leave may only be used for the approved purpose. If any change occurs in the nature or severity of an illness or injury, or of any factor on which the approval was based, the employee must provide documentation to the FMLA Coordinator. 
  • Crisis Leave is documented in accordance with the same procedures as regular paid leave.
  • Employees who return to work before using all approved Crisis Leave must notify their department and FMLA Coordinator so unused hours can be returned to the pool.

Use of Crisis Leave for any reason other than the approved purpose, or failure to follow policy requirements, may result in disciplinary action.

You will be placed on leave without pay. 

You will be placed on leave without pay. 

  • Donations are voluntary and may not be designated for a specific employee.
  • Eligible donors may contribute annual or sick leave at any time of the year, subject to policy limits outlined in PS-12.
  • Donations are awarded based on availability and order of approved requests.

Yes, but donations are limited to 120 hours of annual leave upon separation or retirement. 

No. Under PS-12, employees may not designate a particular individual to receive donated leave. All donated leave is placed in the Crisis Leave Pool and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to employees who meet eligibility requirements.

Decisions made by the Leave Pool Manager regarding Crisis Leave requests are final and not subject to appeal.

Employees should contact the Office of Human Resource Management at 225-578-8200 or email hrfmla@lsu.edu.