Leave Time

Postdoctoral scholars may need time away from their jobs for reasons related to family, health, community, or personal rest and relaxation. Postdocs should work with their supervisors to schedule time off as far in advance as possible, and should follow any department-specific notification procedures when advance notice is not possible.

Postdoctoral scholars paid by OHSU receive 80 hours of paid vacation annually, tracked at the departmental level. These hours are accrued annually, meaning 80 hours are provided up front on your first day of employment, and on each yearly anniversary date thereafter. Unused vacation time may be carried over from year to year.

Postdoctoral scholars paid by stipend shall receive vacation time consistent with the funding agency's requirements and tracked at the departmental level. If no vacation policy is addressed by the funding agency, the policy above shall apply.

Vacation time shall not be paid out at the time of termination; however, if promoted to a faculty or staff position within OHSU, up to 160 hours of accrued vacation time may be transferred to the new position (effective 01 January 2016).

Postdoctoral scholars paid by OHSU receive 8 hours of sick leave monthly tracked at the departmental level. Unused sick leave can be carried over from year to year. 

Postdoctoral scholars paid by stipend shall receive sick time consistent with the funding agency's requirements and tracked at the departmental level. If no sick time policy is addressed by the funding agency, the policy above shall apply.

Sick leave accruals shall not be paid out at the time of termination; however, if promoted to a faculty or staff position within OHSU, up to 96 hours of accrued sick leave may be transferred to the new position (effective 01 January 2016).

OHSU observes several holidays per year. Following the policy for unclassified employees, postdoctoral scholars are entitled to paid time off during the following holidays:

  • New Year's Day
  • Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Day
  • Presidents' Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day

For the dates and days on which OHSU observes these holidays, please refer to the current year's holiday calendar.

Postdoctoral scholars may be eligible for a leave of absence for medical or family reasons under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Oregon Family Leave Act (OFLA). Generally, postdoctoral scholars are eligible for FMLA after one year of service (minimum of 1,250 hours worked), and OFLA after six months of service (minimum of 180 calendar days, except for parental leave).

Please read more about FMLA and OFLA protected leaves on OHSU Benefits Department's Family and Medical Leave page on O2.

Parental Leave
Typically, birth mothers may be eligible for up to 18 weeks of parental leave (6 weeks pregnancy plus 12 weeks bonding time). The amount of time required is determined by your doctor. Non-birth parents may be eligible for up to 12 weeks of parental leave.