Handbook of Operating Procedures

I. POLICY AND GENERAL STATEMENT

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston ("University”) is dedicated to improving the health of the people of the State of Texas and the nation. Based on its commitment to disease prevention, health education, health promotion, health care cost containment and wellness, the University encourages employees to take preventive health care measures.

University employees are eligible for up to eight hours of leave per fiscal year for scheduled preventive health care appointments for themselves or immediate family members. Immediate family is defined as any person living in the same household who is related by kinship, adoption (including foster children certified by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services), or marriage. Minor children of the employee, whether or not living in the same household, are also considered immediate family. An employee who is the legal guardian of a child by court appointment may use preventive leave to care for the child.

Leave must be requested and approved in advance by the employee's supervisor.  This time is to be used by employees for preventive health care such as immunizations, periodic physical examinations, dental examinations and vision checkups.

Absences due to illness and injury may be covered under:

• Sick leave (refer to HOOP 30, Sick Leave).
• Disability accommodation (refer to HOOP 101, Disability Accommodation)
• Family Medical Leave Act (refer to HOOP 106, Family and Medical Leave)

II. PROCEDURE

Full-time and less than full-time benefits eligible regular employees, who have completed six months of employment and received authorization from their supervisors, will be permitted to use up to eight hours of leave for preventive health care appointments. A regular employee is appointed for a period of at least four and one-half consecutive months with a definite job assignment that must be 50 percent time or more (see HOOP 17, Appointment Status). Less than full-time benefits eligible employees will be entitled to leave based on percentage of time worked.

At the discretion of the supervisor, an employee may be asked to submit a statement of verification from the health care provider.

The allotted annual leave for preventive health care must be used by August 31 of each year. Unused leave will not accrue and will not be carried forward.

III. CONTACTS

• • Human Resources
  • 713-500-3130
  • http://www.uth.edu/hr/department/employee-relations/index.htm

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