Dear Colleagues,
At UNH, we are a community that cares deeply about the well-being of our colleagues. We know that life can present unexpected challenges, and the support of the community can make all the difference during difficult times.
We are currently considering proposing a reintroduction of the concept of compassionate leave donations on a limited basis. This would allow employees to donate a portion of their paid time off to colleagues who have exhausted their sick leave and are facing unpaid time off.
To highlight this initiative's potential impact, we want to share an important and personal story from one of our colleagues:
"I am reaching out to offer my perspective on bringing back compassionate leave. For the past few years, I have been dealing with a complex chronic illness. I have had to call out many times to unexpectedly deal with symptom flares like intense neuropathy and muscle pain, gastrointestinal issues, and brain fog. . . Every time I’m sick, I have to make a decision: do I take a day to recover, or do I soldier through because tomorrow might be worse? Having access to compassionate leave would be a game changer and I honestly believe that being able to actually take time off when I’m sick would lead to both better quality work and less sick days overall."
By donating a few hours of your paid time off (sick time cannot be donated), you can make a lifesaving difference for a colleague, and you will quickly earn those hours back by your next paycheck. Please note: this policy is in the proposal and assessment phase. Should it be approved as a new benefit, it will take time to implement.
To gauge your interest in this initiative, please take a moment to complete this anonymous survey:
Here are a few additional examples of situations where compassionate leave donations could make a difference. A UNH employee who:
- requires twice-weekly dialysis treatment for kidney disease.
- is a person with cancer receiving chemo and/or radiation therapy.
- has migraines, a concussion, or epilepsy, rendering them unable to tolerate light or work at a computer.
- has occasional panic attacks that arise suddenly but subside within a few hours.
- has minor surgery requiring only 1-2 days out of the office.
We truly appreciate your feedback. It is invaluable in helping us create a supportive, caring, and healthy workplace.
With gratitude,
Compassionate Leave Committee