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UAB Human Resources has compiled a few tips and best practices for submitting a time-off request in Campus Time & Attendance (CTA). Whether you're planning a vacation, taking a personal day, or requesting partial time off, following these simple tips will help ensure your request is processed smoothly and your leave balances remain up to date.

Best Practices for Entering a Time-off Request in CTA:

• Click on the calendar icon to use the date picker. This allows you to select the missed working days only, especially if they are in multiple weeks, and ensures you are not including paid holidays or weekends.
• Duration refers to the working hours in a day (typically eight hours). The system will calculate the total hours for the request based on the number of days requested. Only enter start time and duration; no end time is needed.
• New month requires a new request: If a request spans multiple months, submit separate requests by month. Be aware, editing/canceling a multi month request may impact all dates in that combined request.
• Ensure any previous requests are approved before submitting new requests. This ensures the available balances displayed are correct.
• When entering partial days, enter the actual start time you will be out and the exact duration. The minimum is four hours outside of FMLA leave types.

For detailed instructions on entering a time-off request in CTA, visit CTA: Entering a Time Off Request (Step by Step) : HR Operations.

— Published September 16, 2025

As of July 1, 2025, UAB's Paid Parental Leave Policy and Sick Time Policies has undergone important enhancements. These changes expand eligibility for paid parental leave and give employees more time to bond with their growing families after the birth or adoption of a child.

Effective July 1, 2025...

• Eligible employees who have been employed in a benefits-eligible position for at least six months prior to the birth or adoption of a child are eligible for paid parental leave. Prior to this change, an eligible employee had to have been employed for at least 12 months prior to the qualifying event.
• Eligible employees will now be able to take up to six weeks (30 days/240 hours) of paid leave during the first six months following the birth or adoption of a child — up from the four weeks granted prior to the change. This benefit will continue to be available to both parents and can still be used continuously or intermittently.
• In addition to the previously offered direct donations, mothers can also receive sick time pool donations while they recover from childbirth. Please note, sick time donation does not apply to UAB Health System employees.
• Eligible employees can use sick time to care for any eligible individual/dependent, which may be defined as a spouse, sponsored adult dependent, parent, step-parent, parent-in-law, grandparent, sibling, biological child, step-child, sponsored dependent child, or a child placed for adoption or foster care. The previous policy limited sick time that could be used to care for a qualified individual not residing in the same household to three days per calendar year.

As a family-friendly employer of choice, UAB is committed to supporting employees in balancing their professional and personal lives. In addition to these enhancements, UAB Human Resources provides valuable resources and services designed to help employees navigate their work responsibilities while fulfilling their commitments at home.

• The UAB Sick Time Donation Program provides a source of paid leave for eligible employees who have exhausted their available accrued benefit time — through both direct donations and donations to the sick time donation pool, which the upcoming changes make available to mothers recovering from childbirth.
• Through a partnership with Senior Care Authority (SCA), the Employee Assistance & Counseling Center offers employees assistance in finding local care for an aging parent or loved one, as well as discounted eldercare consulting, driver self-assessments and more.
• For information on additional support for employees who are pregnant or expecting, new parents, and those raising a family, visit the Support for UAB Parents & Families page.

For additional details, including new paid parental leave examples and updated FAQs, visit the Paid Parental Leave webpage, or contact HR Records Administration & Compliance with any questions.

— Updated July 1, 2025

Starting April 1, 2025, UAB will offer short-term disability insurance to benefits-eligible employees through Standard Insurance Company.

Short-term disability insurance pays a weekly benefit to participants who experience a covered disability and meet the plan requirements. It provides a set percentage of the covered employee’s income for their time away from work after an initial waiting period. Covered disabilities include accident, injury or illness, such as back pain, depression or cancer. Time off for childbirth or pregnancy-related complications is also covered.

The Standard’s short-term disability insurance also includes access to its Health Advocacy Select service. When covered employees are out of work on a claim, Health Advocacy Select service provides a personal health advocate who can help navigate the healthcare system, make sense of a diagnosis and research treatment options, including help finding the right doctors, specialists and hospitals, untangling medical bills and more.

The special enrollment period for UAB-sponsored voluntary short-term disability insurance is March 17-26. To enroll in this new benefit option, or for more information including FAQs and eligibility information, visit the UAB for Me Benefits Portal.

—Published March 10, 2025