Every year, members on leaves of one term or one year must notify the DOE of their intent for the upcoming school year on or about May 15. You will receive an email from the DOE with a request to submit your intent with that year's specific deadline. 

If you received an email notification requiring that you submit an intention, you must log in to SOLAS and submit your intention to either:

• Return to work
• Extend your current leave
• Apply for a new leave type
• Resign
• Retire

Please note that all communication will be sent to your DOE email address. If you do not notify the DOE about your plans to return or apply for a leave extension by the deadline, you will be deemed voluntarily resigned from your position.

Members whose leaves are less than one term are not required to submit their intent. The following leave types are also not required to submit an intent: 

• Workers' Compensation
• Sabbaticals
• Line of Duty
• Union
• Military

If you have checked your DOE email and did not receive an email from SOLAS, you are not currently required to participate. For further questions, please reach out to your payroll secretary. 

If you plan to: 

Return to service:

• Notify your principal or supervisor of your impending return.

Request an extension of your leave or request a new leave of absence:

• You must submit a leave application online using SOLAS.
• You must submit all supporting documentation within 21 days of the date of application. All leave-of-absence applications are subject to review for eligibility and completeness. HR Connect – Medical, Leaves & Records Administration will review your application and will send a determination to your DOE email address.

Resign from service:

• Contact the UFT to discuss the implications of resigning.
• You should notify your principal or supervisor in writing of your intent to resign from your position at the DOE 30 days prior to your resignation date. ·
• Your letter of resignation should include your name, file/EIS number, title, effective date of resignation and your signature.
• Contact your payroll secretary for information on any final entitlements.

Retire:

• Contact the UFT for a pension consultation.
• Contact your retirement system to confirm your retirement date.
• Information on the retirement process can be found on the HR Connect Portal. Once you have logged in with your DOE/Outlook user ID and password, search for “retirement.”
• We recommend you notify your principal or supervisor in writing of your intent to retire from your position at the DOE.
• Contact your payroll secretary for information on any final entitlements.

You may change your intent before the final deadline. After that, you must submit a request for an exception and provide evidence of a material change or extenuating circumstance. You must make this request as soon as possible.