Forms for leaves and absences

Pedagogues and paraprofessionals use this form to apply for a retirement leave of absence. For every two days in the employee’s sick bank, one day of terminal leave is granted. The form must be filed 30 days in advance of the leave. The leave can only cover up to one term and cannot extend from one school term to another. See page 2 for guidelines. In order to go on a terminal leave, paraprofessionals must be members of the Teachers' Retirement System.

All pedagogues and paraprofessionals may use this form to donate sick time to a colleague. The recipient receives one day for every two days donated. Sick leave transfer rules are on page 2 of the form.

Accommodations and procedures for requesting time off for religious observance.

This regulation sets forth the rules governing sabbatical leave of absence applicable to all pedagogical personnel.

Paraprofessionals who meet the requirements indicated in this memo are eligible for release time for non-classroom study or travel from work to their college/university. The NYCDOE will grant release time each college semester (fall, spring and the first summer session only, not later than June 30) to eligible paraprofessionals who are attending or taking online coursework at an accredited college or university.

This memo, dated Dec. 13, 2002, details the Department of Education's policy regarding the city's Extended Military Benefits Package.

This memorandum reaffirms the chancellor's authority to announce the citywide closing or delayed opening of schools, and outlines the requirements and expectations that pertain to the dissemination of information on the chancellor's announcement, the impact on pupil transportation and other procedures, the school activities that should take place during any delayed school opening day, and the responsibilities of school support organizations and central offices.

This memorandum provides guidance on COVID-related absences for UFT-represented DOE employees. It is in effect from Nov. 1, 2024 through Aug. 31, 2025. 

This policy, updated in 2019, details excused time off for all types of cancer screenings and for blood donation. 

Timeline and guidelines for applying for sabbaticals 

Injured employees should submit this form within the first seven calendar days of absence due to injury sustained in the performance of official duties.

Must be filed along with a FMLA request.

For pedagogues and administrative staff. You must provide acceptable certification by a physician or other health care provider for your own serious health condition or the serious health condition of a covered family member within fifteen (15) calendar days of the request for leave, where practicable. Please see Personnel Memorandum No. 54, 1995-1996 for further information.

Please refer only to Item 2: Permission to Be Absent Without Pay For the Purpose of Marriage and Honeymoon.

Regulations governing leaves of absence for maternity and/or child care for administrative (non-pedagogical) staff. Page 1 of this document is Heads of Bureau Circular #15, 1975-1976, which amends a section of Circular #11.

All pedagogical personnel may apply for a medical leave of absence without pay only when they have exhausted all of their Cumulative Absence Reserve (CAR) days. This application must be completed, signed and submitted to HR Connect for approval. Documentation and/or statement of particulars must be submitted with the OP 160 form. Rules and instructions are on page 2.

This form is used by all pedagogues to apply for medical certification for absence up to 20 consecutive school days, for requests to borrow sick days, for excuse of absence due to children’s diseases, and for injury in the line of duty claims. Rules and instructions are on page 2.

Upon an employee’s return from a leave of absence without pay, the payroll secretary must submit an OP 255 form to the Bureau of Salary Differentials and Status.

Upon resignation, termination or retirement, pedagogues are entitled to receive half of their sick leave balance (up to 100 days).

Members currently on a leave may use this form to request an extenuating circumstance for missing the deadline to submit your intention for the next school year or to modify your intention due to a material change.

PD19 form for Leave of Absence with Pay for Administrative Employees - including nurses and therapists 

The DOE confirmed on Sept. 4, 2024 that Personnel Memo No. 1 for the 2023–24 school year, which allows UFT members to use COVID days if they test positive for the disease, will remain in effect this school year until further notice. This policy entitles DOE employees who have COVID up to five days to recover — time that does not come out of their CAR bank. When the DOE told the UFT in August that it planned to have employees use contractual sick day rules when they test positive for COVID, we questioned the legality of that change at this time. The disagreement has prompted the DOE to delay any change to the COVID leave policy for the time being. We will keep you updated.

The purpose of this memorandum is to describe the benefits and eligibility requirements of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

Get answers to frequently asked questions about the DOE's Self-Service Online Leave Application System (SOLAS).

Used to transfer CAR days and leave balances when changing titles within the system