Bereavement
If someone close to you dies, take up to three paid working days. If you need more, talk to Helen; we’ll work it out with banked days or unpaid time. You don’t have to explain your relationship to the person or justify the need.Jury duty and court appearances
Utah law (Utah Code § 78B-1-116) protects your job while you serve on a jury and bars the practice from making you use time off for it. Tell the practice manager as soon as you receive a summons so sessions can be moved. The statute doesn’t require pay. Salaried staff are paid their normal salary for any week in which they perform some work, so a few days of jury service in a working week doesn’t reduce pay. Hourly staff are paid only for hours worked. If you’re subpoenaed to testify in a matter related to your work here, including anything involving a client, tell Helen and the practice manager immediately and before you respond. See Release of information. Time spent on work-related legal matters is paid.Voting
Utah law (Utah Code § 20A-3a-105) gives you up to two hours of paid time off to vote on election day if you don’t already have three non-working hours while polls are open. Ask before election day, and we’ll schedule it. Most people find a four-day week makes this unnecessary, but it’s yours if you need it.Military leave
Employees who serve in the uniformed services are protected under the federal USERRA law, which applies to employers of every size. You’re entitled to leave for service and to reemployment afterward, with your seniority and benefits intact, subject to the law’s conditions. Tell the practice manager as far in advance as you can.Pregnancy, childbirth, and nursing
You’re entitled to reasonable accommodation for pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related conditions, including time off, and to nursing breaks and a private space for at least a year after birth. The details, and the Utah and federal rules behind them, are on Accommodations.Parental time
There is no paid parental leave benefit today. New parents can combine banked days, days on credit, and an unpaid leave of absence, and the practice will work with you on a schedule that eases you back. Talk to Helen as early as you’re comfortable so client coverage can be planned. Parental leave is on the list of benefits the practice is evaluating for 2027.Leave of absence
For anything longer than banked days cover, including medical, family, or personal reasons, you can request an unpaid leave of absence in full-week blocks. Requests go to Helen through the practice manager. We’ll consider length, coverage, and your situation, and we’ll tell you in writing what’s approved. Leave is at the practice’s discretion, except where a law or an accommodation requires it. Client transitions during a leave follow Ending services and referring out.What doesn’t apply to us, plainly
- FMLA (the federal Family and Medical Leave Act) applies only to employers with 50 or more employees. We’re far below that. There’s no FMLA entitlement here, and we’re saying so now so nobody assumes coverage that doesn’t exist.
- Federal COBRA applies at 20 or more employees, and only where there’s a group health plan. Utah continuation coverage (Utah Code § 31A-22-722) also applies only to a group policy. We have no group plan, so neither applies.