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Dear Faculty Relations: Last month, I was approached by multiple colleagues with requests for leave. I confess, I'm confused. What is the difference between FMLA and FAMLI? And where do I go to get this right? –Stressed Supervisor

Dear Stressed: You’re right—leave can be confusing. The university offers many different types of leave, and my office is here to help you sort through them. It’s important that we get leave right.

That said, here are the differences between FMLA and FAMLI in the proverbial nutshell:

FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) is a federal program that protects workers from losing their jobs in the event of a medical emergency. Here are the facts:

• Twelve (12) weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave.
• ÌýUsed to care for yourself or a family member, to bond with a new child, or to prepare for the military deployment of a family member.
• Must have been employed by the university for at least 12 months within the past seven (7) years and have worked at least 1,250 hours during the most recent 12-month period prior to the start of leave.

FAMLI (Family and Medical Leave Insurance) is a state program that protects workers from losing their jobs in the event of a medical emergency. Unlike FMLA, FAMLI provides partial pay. As an employee who lives and works in Colorado, you pay into this program with every paycheck. Here are the facts:

• Must live and work in Colorado to qualify.
• Job-protected leave and partially paid leave up to 90% of weekly wage.
• Used to care for yourself or a family member, to bond with a new child, or to prepare for the military deployment of family members. An additional four (4) weeks of leave may be granted to birthing parents who experience complications.
• Eligibility for the job protection component after working for 180 days for CU.
• Pay component eligibility begins on day one of employment.

There is a lot more that can be said about these programs. For now, more information can be found by going to .

Both FMLA and FAMLI are managed by the CU System Office Leave Team (leave@cu.edu). My role here on the Boulder campus is to act as a liaison between that team and our campus. So if you ever have questions or just don’t know where to start, please reach out.

Written by Dominick Rotante, ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½Æƽâ°æÏÂÔØ Leave Program Manager

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