Columns:: Federal, state laws cover university employees called to military service

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Campus News

Federal, state laws cover university employees called to military service

By Larry B. Dendy
ldendy@uga.edu

As of last week, the Human Resources Office did not know officially of any university employee who had been called to active military duty as a result of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. But there’s a good chance faculty or staff who are in the reserves or

UGA faculty and staff who are activated for military duty are covered by federal and state laws that govern leave, pay and re-employment. Photo by Peter Frey

National Guard will be called as the nation gears up for an expected lengthy fight against terrorism.
If so, they will be covered by federal and state laws that govern leave, pay and re-employment for people called into military service. The Human Resources Division administers the regulations for the university.
Faculty and staff aren’t asked whether they are in the reserves or National Guard when they begin work, so there’s no way to know how many employees potentially are subject to being called, says Melanie Kirk, director of employment and employee data-management services. But Human Resources has been contacted by several people who have received phone calls alerting them to a possible call-up.
Kirk says the regulations governing military service primarily are used for employees who have summer reserve or National Guard duty or other training, which usually lasts two weeks or less. But the regulations also will apply to anyone called for special duty, such as in the current crisis.
According to the regulations, an employee called to military service, upon presenting written orders to his or her supervisor, will be granted up to 30 days per calendar year for “ordered military duty.” The university will pay the employee’s salary for a maximum of 18 work days as “paid military leave” in a calendar year.
Any time on active duty beyond 18 days, up to 12 consecutive months, will be “approved military leave without pay.” The employee has the discretion to cover part of that unpaid leave with accrued UGA annual leave.
In compliance with board of regents policy, an employee who serves more than 12 months must be separated from university employment. Upon discharge, the person will have re-employment and other rights as provided by federal law.
Operational policies also cover such matters as insurance coverage, the status of unused annual and sick leave, the salary rate at the time of re-employment, and purchase of retirement credit from the Teachers Retirement System.

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