The Graduate College and Departments will collaborate with University Human Resources Faculty and Staff Disability Services Office (FSDS)  or Health Care Human Resources Leave and Disability Administration (LDA) to administer all workplace accommodation needs (including new or ongoing health conditions) for Postdoctoral Scholars and Fellows. Workplace accommodation needs are those associated with a health condition that results in a need for time away from work or accommodations while at work. The process for seeking workplace accommodations is provided below.

Accommodation Process and FMLA

Accommodation Process

When a Postdoctoral Scholar or Fellow reports that their health is impacting their ability to perform job duties, the Scholar/Fellow may need a workplace accommodation. If so, the Postdoctoral Scholar/Fellow should contact their departmental HR representative, or an HR representative in the Graduate College. If a supervising faculty or staff member becomes aware of a potential need for a workplace accommodation, they should contact the applicable departmental HR representative immediately. The departmental HR representative is responsible for submitting a consult form to Faculty and Staff Disability Services (FSDS) or contacting Health Care Human Resources Leave and Disability Administration (LDA) for College of Medicine Postdoctoral Scholars/Fellows. Once submitted, the FSDS or LDA team will work with the Postdoctoral Scholar/Fellow and the employing unit to determine reasonable accommodations. 

FMLA

The Graduate College will collaborate with University Human Resources Faculty and Staff Disability Services Office (FSDS) or Health Care Human Resources Leave and Disability Administration (LDA) and the appointing college to evaluate all requests for FMLA and Non-FMLA leave. 

  • Postdoctoral Scholars (FP01). Family Medical Leave may apply in situations where a Postdoctoral Scholar (FP01) needs to be absent from work due to a serious health condition. If a Scholar does not meet FMLA eligibility criteria, non-FMLA leave may be applicable. 
  • NRSA Postdoctoral Fellows (FP02) and non-NRSA Fellows (FP03). Postdoctoral Fellows who need to be absent from work due to a serious health condition are not eligible to receive FMLA. However, non-FMLA leaves may apply. As such, Postdoctoral Fellows should check with NIH for any applicable or relevant information regarding eligibility for leave.

FSDS or LDA will work with the department and Scholar/Fellow to determine the appropriate support. 

Applicability of FMLA and the Non-FMLA process
  • Postdoctoral Scholars (FP01) are considered employees of the University of Iowa and may qualify for Family Medical Leave Act if they meet the eligibility requirements (e.g., worked at the university for at least 12 months and served at least 1250 hours within the 12 months prior to the commencement of the requested leave). The university shall authorize leave requests in accordance with the provisions of the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 for qualifying events. 
  • NRSA Postdoctoral Fellows (FP02) and non-NRSA Fellows (FP03) paid fully by external funding are not considered an employee of the University of Iowa and therefore should work within the terms and conditions of their funding organization in partnership with their university department or unit if a leave of absence is needed. 
  • Scholars/Fellows in need of FMLA or Non-FMLA support should notify their HR representative who can then submit an intake form. Faculty or staff who become aware of a Scholar’s/Fellow’s need for FMLA or Non-FMLA support should notify the HR representative and request that an intake form be submitted. Once received, the FSDS or LDA team will review the intake information and contact the Scholar/Fellow to pursue appropriate information related to their request. FSDS or LDA will work with the appointing department regarding possible options.

If a Postdoctoral Scholar and/or Fellow would prefer to have a confidential conversation with a member of the FSDS or LDA staff to discuss their health needs, they may schedule an appointment by contacting FSDS at (319) 335-2660 or via email FSDS@uiowa.edu –  (include LDA information).