Loyola University Maryland

Office of Human Resources

Mission/Community Service Leave

The purpose of the policy is to provide paid leave for staff and administrators to participate voluntarily in University-sponsored community service experiences and mission-related retreats or reflection activities that occur during regularly scheduled workdays. Consistent with the vision of a Jesuit University, Loyola University Maryland encourages its employees to understand the University's mission, to live out its mission of leadership in the service of others, and to reflect on ways to serve the community. For additional information related to University-sponsored activities and programs, please contact the Center for Community, Service, and Justice (CCSJ) at ext. 2380 or the office of campus ministry at ext. 2222. For additional information related to requesting leave, please contact the benefits and wellness unit at ext. 1365. 

In order to be eligible for Mission/Community Service Leave, employees must work in a full-time or part- time position of at least 20 hours per week (at least 1040 hours per benefit year). The eligible leave amount is prorated for part-time employees and new employees. Employees must have successfully completed the introductory provisional period prior to taking this leave. Employees must be in good standing, not on a written warning or on a suspension. 

University Sponsored Service Activities:

Subject to prior supervisory approval, eligible employees may take paid Community Service Leave for up to two days per benefit year (July 1 to June 30 each year) to participate in the following activities: 

  • Discussions, days of reflection, or other activities focused on the University’s mission that are sponsored or conducted by the University’s office of campus ministry, Center for Community, Service, and Justice (CCSJ), or special assistant for mission.
  • Mission/community service related activities or programs that are sponsored or conducted by the University’s office of campus ministry, CCSJ, or special assistant for mission.

Subject to prior supervisor approval, employees may take paid Mission Leave for up to five consecutive business days for one University-sponsored spiritual retreat, immersion experience or pilgrimage, every five years. Time taken for this purpose will not be counted against the employee's vacation, personal leave or floating holiday time. Employees must apply for participation in the retreat or experience to the sponsoring Loyola department and be approved to participate. Individuals wishing to attend for a longer period of time for one trip, or participate more often, may do so with the prior approval of their supervisor and may use accrued vacation, personal leave and/or floating holiday time for the additional time off. 

Employees may choose to add their vacation time, personal leave and/or floating holiday time to the Mission/Community Service Leave Benefit or request leave without pay. All leave time is subject to approval, in advance, of the department supervisor or chair, taking into consideration business needs and department priorities.  Mission/Community Service Leave days do not carry over from one benefit year to the next. Employees are not entitled to extra compensation in lieu of unused Mission/Community Service Leave. Mission/Community Service Leave is not paid out at termination.

Mission/Community Service Leave requires written approval from the employee's supervisor or chair. The supervisor or chair will consult with the sponsoring department prior to approving the leave. 

Employees are personally responsible for covering any program fees, travel, transportation and parking.

For more information, please contact the benefits and wellness unit (ext. 1365) or refer to your Policy manual.  

Mission/Community Service Leave Resources

Mission and Community Service Leave Guidelines and Instructions
Mission and Community Service Leave Request Form

This website provides a summary of the benefits available. The University reserves the right to modify, amend, suspend or terminate any plan at any time, and for any reason without prior notification. You will be notified of any changes to these plans and how they affect your benefits, if at all. The plans described on this website are governed by insurance contracts and plan documents, which are available for examination. We have attempted to make explanations of the plans on this website as accurate as possible. However, should there be a discrepancy between this website and the provisions of the insurance contracts or plan documents, the provisions of the insurance contracts or plan documents will govern. In addition, you should not rely on any oral descriptions of these plans, since the written descriptions in the insurance contracts and plan documents will always govern.