IUP recognizes the responsibility of its employees to fulfill their military duties as reservists with the Armed Forces of the United States.

Please review the PASSHE Notice to Employees for Military Leave of Absence for information regarding employment and re-employment rights.

AFSCME Employees: For more specific information, please refer to the AFSCME Collective Bargaining Agreement, Article 16: Military Leave.

SPFPA Employees: For more specific information, please refer to the SPFPA Collective Bargaining Agreement, Article 15: Military Leave.

Who would use military leave?

Military leave (paid and unpaid) may be available to both permanent and temporary employees who are members of a reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States or Pennsylvania National Guard.

How is military leave applied/used?

Up to 15 workdays of paid military leave may be used during each leave calendar year for any of the following reasons:

  • Annual active duty for training
  • Attendance at service schools
  • Basic training
  • Short tours of active duty for special projects
  • Attendance at military conferences and participation in any command post exercise or maneuver, which is separate from annual active or inactive duty training
  • For other military duty (applies only to Pennsylvania National Guard duty)

An additional 15 to 30 days of paid military leave may also be available to the employee dependent upon the type of duty and prior usage.

Employees may also be eligible for unpaid military leave. 

Military orders and required supporting documentation must be provided immediately upon notification of the need for leave. It is recommended that drill schedules be provided to supervisors and Human Resources each year, if applicable. Please contact Benefits Services in the Office of Human Resources by emailing Human Resources for more information.

How do I request and use military leave?

Please contact Benefits Services in the by emailing Human Resources.

Documentation is required to determine eligibility for the use of paid leave, continuation of benefits, payment of a monthly stipend, and the right to return to work within the time frames allowed by the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act.

  • Documentation may be provided in the form of military orders, written communication from the employee's military unit, or Form DD-214.
  • Documentation will need to be provided to Benefits Services in the Office of Human Resources prior to the beginning of the leave of absence and prior to receiving and being approved for paid leave.
  • Documentation is required upon release after periods of duty for more than 30 calendar days.