Leave Questions and Answers

1. What do I need to do before I go out on a leave?

If you are expecting to be out of work for a period of at least five consecutive business days or intend to take an intermittent leave, you must follow the procedures below for reporting your leave:

  • Employees must provide supervisors and Human Resources with at least 30 days notice of intent to file a claim for leave of absence when foreseeable; in emergency situations, as soon as possible. Faculty members should notify their department and the Provost’s office.
  • Notice of leave of absence requests can be sent to Human Resources at [email protected]
  • Call MetLife Leave Management at 888-762-2347, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. Monday through Friday; or 
  • Alternatively, you can report your leave to MetLife through their MyBenefits website at www.metlife.com/mybenefits, 24 hours a day, and 365 days a year. (First time users, see the MyBenefits registration instructions. Please note: For Step 1 the Group Name is Fordham University).

2. What type of leaves need to be reported?

  • Leaves need to be reported to MetLife if they are for your own serious illness or injury, the birth and bonding with a newborn child, for placement with the employee of a child for adoption or foster care, or to care for an immediate family member (spouse, child, or parent) with a serious health condition.
  • This includes any intermittent leaves (leave taken in separate blocks of time) for your own serious medical condition, child bonding or for the care of an immediate family member with a serious medical condition.

When you contact MetLife, a Case Manager or Leave Coordinator will assist you in determining which type of leave is appropriate for your situation. In many situations, you may be on more than one type of leave.

3. What information will I need to report my leave?

You should have the following information when you report your leave:

Personal and job information:

  • Mailing address
  • Fordham Identification # (FIDN)
  • Job title
  • Work schedule
  • Supervisor’s name and contact information
  • Date of hire

Sickness/Injury information and treatment:

  • Last day worked
  • Nature of the illness/ leave
  • How/when/where injury occurred,
  • Date disability began
  • Date you anticipate returning to work
  • Name, address, telephone number, fax number of your healthcare provider

4. What will happen after I report the leave to MetLife?

After you contact MetLife, they will send you written acknowledgement to your home address. You will also be able to login to MetLife’s MyBenefits website (www.metlife.com/mybenefits), 24 hours a day, and 365 days a year to view the status of your claim. (First time users, see the MyBenefits registration instructions. Please note: For Step 1 the Group Name is Fordham University).

MetLife will contact your physician to obtain medical information regarding your leave request.

5. What do I need to do before I return to work at the end of my leave?

You must submit a fitness for duty note to Human Resource, releasing you to return to work, at least 5 days before your expected return-to-work date.

6. What do I do if I have any questions regarding the status of my claim?

You should call MetLife at 888-762-2347 with any questions or concerns about your leave benefits. You will be assigned a Case Manager or Leave Coordinator, who will be able to answer any questions you have about your claim.

7. Can I call HR for assistance with my leave?

You may call HR regarding your leave and HR can assist you in filing your claim with MetLife. You can also call HR to ask any question that you may have regarding the Leave Management process or if you need assistance with MetLife or with your claim. You can reach Human Resources at [email protected] or 718-817-4930.