FAQs

 

 

What is the Organ Donor Leave (ODL) Program?

 

The Organ Donor Leave (ODL) Program provides CSU employees who are organ donors and have exhausted all available sick leave, the following leaves of absence with pay:

• A paid leave of absence not exceeding 30 continuous calendar days in any one-year period to any employee who is donating their organ to another person.

• A paid leave of absence not exceeding five continuous calendar days in any one-year period to any employee who is donating their bone marrow to another person.

 

 

Who is eligible for ODL?

 

The ODL Program is available to the following eligible employees:

• All non-represented and represented employees;

• Student employees;

• Part-time and intermittent employees (on a pro-rata basis)

• Employees who are not eligible to earn sick leave.

 

 

What are the requirements to participate in ODL?

 

• An employee must provide written verification to their supervisor and the Total Wellness Office that they are an organ or bone marrow donor and there is a medical necessity for the donation.

• Written verification must be from the donor’s attending physician on hospital/physician letterhead.

• The employee should notify the Total Wellness Office and supervisor, and provide the written verification, as soon as possible in advance of the medical procedures.

 

 

How do I apply for ODL?

 

To request Organ Donor Leave, complete a Request for Formal Leave of Absence and return it to your Department.

Employees must provide 30 days’ advance notice for foreseeable leave, or as much advance notice as is practicable. When 30 days’ notice is not possible, the employee must give notice to the employer on the same day they learn of the need for leave or the next business day, after the need arises for unforeseeable leave, unless it is impracticable

 

 

Can I use ODL for preliminary tests for organ donation?

 

No. ODL may not be used for preliminary tests conducted on the “potential“ donor. Leave may be used only when the employee has been identified as a viable donor.

 

 

What if I am unable to return to work beyond the time or period I was granted ODL?

 

• ODL is coordinated with the CSU Family Medical Leave (FML) program. To request CSU FML, complete a Request for Formal Leave of Absence and return it to your Department.

• Consistent with ODL and CSU FML, employee shall use vacation or compensatory time off, if appropriate.

• If leave credits have been exhausted, an employee may be eligible for Non-Industrial Disability Leave (NDI). NDI is a CSU funded wage continuation program for a maximum of 26 weeks for eligible employees that have suffered loss of wages due to a disability or injury that is non-work related.

 

To request NDI, complete a Request for Formal Leave of Absence and return it to your Department for processing to Total Wellness. Total Wellness will prepare a First Claim for Nonindustrial Disability Insurance Form for you to complete. This form will be forwarded to EDD. You will be notified of the status of your claim by EDD approximately seven (7) to ten (10) days after your application has been received.

 

 

Will my benefits be affected if I am on ODL?

 

No. ODL is a paid leave.  The time during which an employee is required to be absent from their position by reason of being an organ or bone marrow donor is not a break in continuous service for purposes of eligibility to salary adjustments, sick leave, vacation or, service credit, or seniority.

 

 

What documentation will I need to return to work?

 

The employee must provide a doctor’s release in order to return to work, consistent with CSU policy.

 

 

How do I report my absence for ODL?

 

ODL is paid leave by the CSU. The absence will be tracked and entered into the Absence and Time Management System by Department/Payroll.