Silver Falls School District

Job Protected Medical Leave – What is it?

Life happens, and you have protected leave to help you navigate it.

FMLA, OFLA & PLO protect your job during certain leaves for up to 12 weeks (60 consecutive or intermittent workdays). Here is a link to BOLI’s website that contains some incredibly useful information around protected leave options in Oregon.

Beginning Your Leave (Steps 1, 2 & 3)

To initiate leave, please notify your supervisor or building principal of your need for protected leave, then reach out to Human Resources (HR) at hr@silverfalls.k12.or.us.

There are usually two forms for you to complete for FMLA/OFLA protected leave. The first form, titled “FMLA Request Paperwork”, is for you to complete and return to HR. The second form, titled “Healthcare Provider Certification”, is for your medical provider (or a loved one’s medical provider) to complete and return to us; if you are taking a parental leave, you will not be required to provide a Healthcare Provider Certification. 

Once HR has received the required form(s), we will provide you with a “formal” approval letter that will outline your approved leave period.

PFMLI (Paid Leave Oregon) Benefits – Saving Your Sick Leave (Final and Optional Step)

This is a protected leave benefit program that runs concurrently with other protected leaves, that provides a weekly benefit payment if you do not wish to use your contractual leave balances (sick/personal leave balances). To apply for this program, please visit American Fidelity Leave. If you have not already done so for other American Fidelity products, you will need to register/create an account and then select “Start Leave Request”.

Employees who utilize these benefits, may elect to use contractual sick leave balances to “top off” benefit amounts, up to 100% of their normal wages. 

Important Notes

• FMLA & OFLA are considered unpaid leaves, but we will use your available contractual leaves to keep you in a paid status. 
• You must apply for leave at least 30 days in advance of needing it, unless in the event of an emergency.

Paid Leave Oregon

Paid Leave Oregon is a new program that allows individuals to take paid time off for important life moments. Employers can offer these benefits through an equivalent plan provider approved by the Oregon Employment Department.
Learn more on the official Paid Leave Oregon website.

Paid Leave Oregon can be combined with FMLA/OFLA qualifying leave.

American Fidelity is the Silver Falls School District’s Paid Leave Oregon equivalent plan provider. Employees apply for and receive benefits directly from American Fidelity.

For assistance or to learn more:Email the SFSD HR Team