Faculty Association - WUFA
Windsor University Faculty Association
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University of Windsor
401 Sunset Avenue
Windsor, ON Canada N9B 3P4
(519) 253-3000 ext. 0


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University of Windsor




Sick Leave - Absence due to Illness, Injury or Disability

After 3 consecutive working days of absence a member is required to provide a note to the Dept. Head, Dean or Head Librarian indicating the member is unable to carry out his/her normal duties.
After 10 consecutive working days of absence resulting from injury or illness, a certificate from a registered/licensed health professional may be requested by the Dean/Head Librarian. The note should contain the following information: a description of the illness or injury on the member's ability to perform duties; relevant restrictions in the type of duties that may be performed, the prognosis in terms of return to work, and a statement that the health care provider's conclusion is based on a recent examination. All personal medical information is confidential and protected by privacy legislation. The information will not be shared with a third party until the absence exceeds 105 consecutive days, and the case is turned over to the long-term insurance provider.

Sessional Instructors, under Article 56:03, shall be granted leave with full pay and benefits [for illness or other bona fide emergencies not covered elsewhere under the Collective Agreement] for a period of up to 2 (two) weeks. The Sessional members will provide the appropriate medical note if requested to do so.

Covering scheduled courses while one is absent: The Collective Agreement provides the following guidance under Article 5:07(h):
'a faculty member shall not unreasonably deny a request by the Dean, after consultation with the Head, to undertake extra teaching for up to one (1) week in order to replace another faculty member who is unable to teach his/her course. When such extra teaching duties do not exceed half of the scheduled contact hours of the course, the faculty member shall be paid a prorated stipend, based on Article N, for the total portion of the course taught. When such extra teaching duties exceed half of the scheduled contact hours of the course, the faculty member shall be compensated by a course remission from future teaching duties or by payment of a stipend as specified in Article N, at the option of the member. If the faculty member elects to be compensated by a course remission, this shall be set forth in a letter signed by the member and the Dean."

Returning from long term illness: Guidance involving the workload of those who have been absent for an extended period of time can be found as part of Article 5:12, which reads as follows:
' A faculty member returning from leave or extended illness after the beginning of a semester when it is not reasonably possible for him/her to fulfil his/her assigned teaching duties shall be assigned such other responsibilities as part of his/her workload within the same semester consistent with the terms of this Agreement and in particular this Article 5.'

Short Term Disability is for a period of 105 consecutive sick days, wherein the member will receive full salary and benefits. This benefit is insured by the University of Windsor. A note is required from the attending physician, and the University HR Department has started to use a form that is also filled out by the attending physician. The note should indicate the person is ill OR unable to perform their duties for 'X' number of days, and ideally should indicate when the person will be reviewed again by the attending physician. No other personal medical information is required on the note due to personal privacy reasons. If you are pressed for more information please contact WUFA. The article covering this absence is Article E of the Collective Agreement.

Long Term Disability starts on the 106th day of consecutive absence, and salary is prorated (approx. 66% of current earnings) until the person returns to work. This benefit is provided by an outside insurance provider, and the progress of illness/rehabilitation is monitored by the insurer. A doctor will be required to fill out a medical form concerning the illness and this form should be returned to the insurance company ONLY, it is not sent to the Human Resources Department. If the person is unable to return to work and remains on long term disability, they are covered by the University for health, dental, pension and life insurance until they reach age 65 years and then all coverage ends. At this time CPP and Old Age pension will begin providing the member has made the appropriate applications for these benefits. The member will also begin receiving his/her pension from the University.
Coverage: Article E.1 (b) of the Collective Agreement reads as follows:
".... if continuous illness extends for a period in excess of one hundred and five (105) calendar days, the said member shall be covered from and after the 105th day of such illness by the said Plan to provide benefits equal to sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of his/her first $2500, Normal Salary plus fifty percent (50%) of his/her next $4500, Normal Salary plus forty percent (40%) of the balance of his/her Normal Salary immediately prior to the date of accident or sickness to a maximum monthly benefit of $10,000 during such period as he/she is continuously ill and unable to perform his/her duties or until he/she attains the normal retirement date, whichever event shall occur first.

Last updated: January 28, 2009