Time and Absence

Shared leave options

Last updated: September 11, 2025

Shared leave program

Learn how to donate or receive paid leave through the Shared Leave Program, which helps employees financially manage work absences caused by a severe, extraordinary, or life- threatening health crisis or other qualifying circumstance.

UW organ donor shared leave program

Learn how to donate or receive paid time off through the UW Organ Donor Shared Leave Program, which supports employees undergoing the organ donation process

Uniformed Services Shared Leave Pool

Learn how to donate or receive paid time off through the state's Uniformed Services Shared Leave Pool Program, which financially helps employees called to service in the U.S. uniformed services

Veterans’ in-state service shared leave pool

The Veterans’ In-State Service Shared Leave Pool (VISSLP) Program allows UW employees to maintain a level of compensation and employee benefits equal to the amount they would have received if they were using accrued vacation or sick time off.

Foster parent shared leave pool

The Foster Parent Shared Leave Pool (FPSLP) Program allows UW employees to maintain a level of compensation and employee benefits equal to the amount they would have received if they were using accrued vacation or sick time off.

Request shared leave user guide – staff campus

Under the Washington state leave sharing program, UW workers are able to receive time off donations of vacation, sick time, or personal holiday hours from other workers or state leave pools.

Donate shared leave user guide – staff campus

Under the Washington state leave sharing program, University of Washington (UW) workers are able to receive time off donations of vacation, sick time, or personal holiday hours from other workers or state shared leave pools if the UW worker will need to take leave of absence without pay or separate from UW employment because of a qualifying situation.

Shared leave user guide – medical centers

This document outlines the complete end-to-end process involving placement on leave, donating and awarding time off, and returning the worker from leave for workers in the above eligibility groups that are located at the Medical Centers.

Return from shared leave user guide – staff campus

When a worker’s shared leave eligibility or UW employment has ended, shared leave recipients are returned from their shared leave of absence and any remaining donations are returned to donors in accordance with state law and UW policy.