Unpaid Leaves of Absence

Types of Unpaid LOA

• Bonding: To bond with a newborn or newly adopted child.
• In interest of the company: These leaves are used where no conflict of interest is involved and it is in ORNL’s interest to make an employee's expertise or services available to DOE, another DOE contractor, government agencies, or other work-related agencies.
• Military: To request time away from work for employees who receive orders to report for full-time military service.
• Entrepreneurial: These leaves are granted to assist and support start-up ventures that encourage effective transfer and commercialization of DOE-developed technology to the commercial sector.
• Educational: To complete requirements for a bachelor's degree (i.e., final year) or obtain an advanced degree in a field that will better qualify employee for work in the Company.
• To accept grant, fellowship, or teaching assignment: These leaves are granted to permit employee to accept Guggenheim, Fullbright, or National Science Fellowship; U.S. Public Health Service Grant; or other similar grant or fellowship; or university teaching assignment.
• Personal: To request unpaid time off for certain personal reasons such as:
  • to resolve unusual personal circumstances that arise from the illness or death of a family member
  • to accompany spouse on an extended, business-related assignment to another location
  • to care for a newly born, adopted, or foster child (if ineligible for bonding leave) or other personal situations as approved by Human Resources director, following approval of line management.
  • All remaining vacation and paid leave time (if (applicable) must be used before requesting unpaid personal leave of absence.