Sabbatical Leave for Professional Development

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Procedure Number: HR 231 Policy Title: Sabbatical Leave for Professional Development 
Supersedes Existing Policy: Yes Policy Owner: Vice-President, People & Culture 
Associated Procedure: Yes Date Last Approved by CET: March 29, 2023 
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1. Introduction and Purpose 

The College is committed to encouraging and supporting sabbatical leaves for professional development purposes for academic renewal, research, retraining, and for other purposes that enhance the College’s vision and mission. 

2. Application 

This policy applies to all full-time employees within the Academic, Support, or Administrative employee groups who have been working at the College for a minimum of six consecutive years. 

3. Definition 

Immediate supervisor: An individual who is responsible for monitoring and regulating a company’s staff in their performance of delegated duties. In particular, they oversee the daily performance of a small group, team, or department. A supervisor has the authority to recommend or exercise discipline, promotion, rewards, and hiring, and performs many functions that help improve a company’s productivity. Immediate supervisors include deans in this policy. 

4. Policy Statement 

The sabbatical leave program is designed to provide an opportunity for professional development leave that may be granted to pursue advanced study, conduct research, or to secure appropriate industry or professional experience.  

Included within the scope of the sabbatical leave program are in-depth studies in one’s field of expertise and in related fields; research projects; development of new teaching materials and concepts; learning how to use technology to enhance teaching; and/or the preparation of a book or other manuscript, or other scholarly or creative activities in one’s discipline or related disciplines.  

The acceptance of a teaching appointment at another institution is ordinarily not regarded as an appropriate objective for a sabbatical leave. 

5. Eligibility 

An employee is eligible for sabbatical leave after six years of full-time service in a permanent position at the College as faculty, academic staff, support staff, or administrative staff (i.e., since the initial full-time hire or since the last sabbatical). 

6. Request for Sabbatical Leave for Professional Development 
  • 6.1 Semester and Year-Long Sabbatical Leave for Professional Development  
    • Employees must submit their requests for leave that will begin on January 1 to their immediate supervisor by May 31 of the previous year. Requests for leave that will begin on September 1 must be submitted to their immediate supervisor by January 31 of the same year. 
  • 6.2 Short-Term Sabbatical Leave for Professional Development for All Employees 
    • Recognizing that the policy intends to be as responsive to innovative opportunities as possible, the College will endeavour to be as flexible as possible and will keep advance notice requirements to a minimum. 
    • Employees should submit their requests for short-term leave to their immediate supervisor at least two months prior to the beginning of the leave — or less time if a suitable replacement can be found for the employee, and preferably with as much notice as possible. Teaching schedules cannot normally be disrupted after the start of a semester.