When an unexpected medical emergency strikes, our union ensures we have a safety net. Hardship Leave is a member-to-member support system we negotiated into our Collective Bargaining Agreement (Article 36, Section 8). It allows us to irrevocably donate our accrued vacation or compensatory time to help coworkers facing a serious medical crisis after they have exhausted their own leave.
This benefit costs management nothing in direct leave accrual—it is a gift of solidarity from one member to another.
Your Rights to Hardship Leave
As a regular status SEIU-represented employee at Oregon State University, you have the right to access Hardship Leave if you meet the contractual criteria.
- Eligibility: You can apply for Hardship Leave for your own temporary serious medical condition or that of a qualifying family member.
- Concurrent Use: Hardship Leave is intended to be used alongside protections like the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA), and Paid Leave Oregon to help bridge the gap and keep your family financially secure.
- The Hardship Pool: Our contract ensures that if a recipient recovers and does not use all the leave donated to them, the remaining hours are transferred to a campus-wide pool. This pool acts as a reserve safety net for future members in need.
How to Apply for Support
If you or a family member are facing an emergency and you anticipate exhausting your accrued leave, take these steps:
- Get Medical Certification: Obtain a written statement from your treating physician certifying that the specific illness or injury will continue for at least fifteen (15) consecutive calendar days after your projected leave runs out.
- Apply Early: Submit your written application to the OSU Human Resources unit before you run out of sick and vacation time to prevent a delay in processing.
- Exhaust Existing Leave: You must exhaust your monthly accrued leave (sick, vacation, personal, comp time) before using donated time, though you have the right to request retaining up to 40 hours of vacation leave annually.
- Reach Out: Contact a steward via our Steward Contact Page if you experience any pushback or delays from HR. We are here to enforce our contract.
How to Donate to Coworkers
Our union is built on solidarity. If you have accrued vacation leave or compensatory time that you do not plan to use, you can donate it to a specific coworker who has an approved Hardship Leave application.
To make a donation, fill out the Hardship Leave Donation form available through the OSU Human Resources Portal. Remember that donations are irrevocable, and your donated hours are credited at the recipient's current regular hourly rate of pay.
Need Assistance?
If management denies your application or you have questions about how Hardship Leave interacts with Paid Leave Oregon or FMLA, do not navigate it alone. Contact our union's Member Assistance Center at 1-844-503-7348 or email our OSU steward team at [email protected].