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Catastrophic Leave Sharing Program Guidelines

The UCR Catastrophic Leave Sharing Program permits an employee to voluntarily donate a portion of their accrued vacation leave to be used by other University employees (who have exhausted all of their own accrued paid leave benefits) to address circumstances.

Circumstances include:
  • a catastrophic injury or illness or an employee;
  • caring for a catastrophically ill or injured family member or household member;
  • the death of a family or household member;
  • or a catastrophic casualty loss suffered by an employee due to, for example, a terrorist attack, fire, or natural disaster. 

New Temporary Systemwide Wildfire Catastrophic Leave Bank:

  • To benefit UC employees who have been adversely affected by the wildfires in the greater Los Angeles region.
  • Available from February 13, 2025 - March 31, 2025
  • Eligible UC employees from any UC location may donate accrued vacation or staff PTO hours to this bank.
  • Eligible affected employees from any UC location may receive donations from the bank according to local procedures.
  • Additional information on the new temporary Wildfire Catastrophic leave for employees is available on UCnet
Catastrophic Leave Definition

A serious non-work-related health condition of the employee or employee's family or household (e.g., spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, in-laws, step-relatives in the relationship or individuals residing in the employee's household), which creates a financial hardship because the employee has exhausted all available leave credits and is not, or not yet, eligible for disability benefits.

Serious Health Condition

A serious health condition is an illness, injury, impairment, or physical or mental condition that involves:

  1. Any period of incapacity or treatment connected with inpatient care ( e.g., an overnight stay) in a hospital, hospice, or residential medical care facility; or
  2. A period of incapacity requiring absence of more than five business days from work, school, or other regular daily activities that also involve continuing treatment by (or under the supervision of) a licensed health care provider; or
  3. Any period of incapacity due to pregnancy, or for prenatal care; or
  4. Any period of incapacity or treatment due to a chronic serious health condition (e.g., asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, etc.); or
  5. A period of incapacity that is permanent or long-term due to a condition for which treatment may be effective (e.g., Alzheimer’s, stroke, terminal disease, etc.); or
  6. Any absence to receive multiple treatments (including any period of recovery) by, or referral by, a licensed health care provider (e.g., chemotherapy, physical therapy, dialysis, etc.).
Catastrophic Casualty Loss

A loss suffered by an employee due to a terrorist attack, fire, or natural disaster.

Eligible Recipient (Requestor)

A UCR employee is eligible to receive Catastrophic Leave if they:

  1. are a career staff employee who has completed the probationary period and is eligible to accrue and use vacation;
  2. are a fiscal-year academic employee who is eligible to accrue and use vacation;
  3. have exhausted all paid leave credits (vacation, sick, CTO), or will do so before the return to work date;
  4. have submitted all required leave of absence paperwork requested by the department and have an approved leave of absence in relation to the catastrophic illness or injury OR is able to work, but a healthcare provider has prescribed multiple and/or on-going treatments for an eligible condition which will require periodic absences from work;
  5. are not presently receiving University disability benefits or Workers' Compensation payments. An employee who has applied to receive Workers’ Compensation benefits is not eligible to apply for Catastrophic Leave; however, that employee may apply if his/her claim is denied.
  6. have not received any formal disciplinary action for excessive absenteeism during the 12 month period immediately preceding the request for catastrophic leave.
Eligible Donor

 UCR career staff employees or academic employees who are eligible to accrue and use vacation.

Donation Leave Credits

Leave that may be donated is defined as accrued whole hours of vacation leave. Sick leave and compensatory time cannot be donated.

Approved Leave of Absence

Approved leave of absence is defined as the requestor’s department being in receipt of all required leave paperwork as determined by the type of leave being requested.