Leave of absence

The health system offers various leave programs to eligible employees who may need time away from work because of certain life events. Employees are encouraged to consider a leave of absence when time away from work (continuous or intermittent) is needed to deal with serious medical conditions (your own or a family member), pregnancy, personal needs, domestic violence, military leave or educational leave.

Employees who need time away from work for bereavement, to vote in official elections, to complete jury duty or for lactation needs must contact their manager directly to schedule an appropriate leave from work.

Employees may be eligible for additional types of leaves allowed under state or local laws, based on the employee’s primary worksite.

Organ and tissue donor leave

Paid leave is available for eligible employees who donate an organ or tissue (blood and blood product donations are not included). The health system wants to support those who are called to make this sacrifice and ensure they have sufficient paid time away from work for their needed medical leave.

• Available to benefits-eligible employees (those who work 0.5 FTE or more) regardless of years of service
• Provides up to 30 days paid leave, prorated for part-time staff, maximum of 240 hours
• Leave must be used consecutively
• Requires medical oversight and documentation
• Administered by the Leave team, who will code in the payroll system

Employees may request paid organ and tissue donor leave starting January 1, 2026.

How to make a request

The health system partners with The Hartford to administer many of our leave programs. Here are three tips to make your leave of absence request easier:

1. Know when to make your request. 

• If your absence is scheduled, such as an upcoming hospital stay, please call              The Hartford 30 days prior to your last day of work.
• If your absence is unscheduled, please call The Hartford as soon as possible.

2. Know what information to include in your request. 

• Name, address and other key identification information.
• Name of your department and last full day of active work.
• The nature of your claim or leave request.
• Your treating physician’s name, address, phone and fax numbers.

3. Call The Hartford.

• With your information handy, call The Hartford at 866-315-0809 and reference policy 675446.
• Hartford representatives are available Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.–7 p.m. CT to take your information, answer your questions and begin processing your request.

For general questions, contact the HR Support Center at 913-945-6500 or AskHR@kumc.edu.

Workplace accommodations

Employees who are temporarily or permanently disabled or have restrictions that make it difficult for them to perform the essential functions of their job should contact the health system’s leave team (LeaveandDisability@kumc.edu) to talk about their needs.

The leave team will work closely with the employee and their manager to determine if a reasonable workplace accommodation can be offered.