Navigating Leave of Absence, Part 2 of 2: Lincoln Absence Management Services

In the first installment of our two-part series, we introduced Lincoln Absence Management Services and provided an overview of the leave of absence and disability benefits available to eligible employees. In Part 2, we’ll walk through how to request a leave, what to expect during the process and tips for a smooth experience.

Your next steps:

• Make Lincoln Financial Group your first point of contact for your absence.
  • If you have questions about your absence request or need to change your requested dates, live representatives are available to guide you through the absence process between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., EST, at 800-281-9135.
  • You can also check the status of your absence and/or Short-Term Disability (STD) request at any time by logging on to www.mylincolnportal.com.
• Submit necessary documentation for your absence.
  • If you are required to submit documentation for your absence, take the medical certification form to the health care provider for completion.
  • Verify the health care provider fully and accurately completes all fields on the medical certification form and submit it to Lincoln Financial Group within the certification period stated on your acknowledgement letter.
  • Instructions for where to send the information is also included in your acknowledgement letter.
  • If you have applied for STD benefits, Lincoln will reach out to your provider directly to gather the information needed for your STD claim and your corresponding leave (if applicable).
  • Ensure that a medical authorization form is on file with your doctor’s office so Lincoln Financial Group can contact your provider and approve your claim.
• If you are going to be absent from work intermittently, track your absence dates.
  • Regulations require you to provide advance notification whenever possible.
  • You are required to report your missed work time within 48 hours, and you should report your intermittent absences even if your leave is not yet approved.
  • Whenever you need to miss work due to your leave of absence, contact your manager and Lincoln Financial Group and provide them with the date and amount of time used so the time can be tracked for your job protection.
• If you are going to be absent on a continuous basis, the dates you requested are already in Lincoln’s system.
  • You do not need to call and report the time you’re out, though you should let Lincoln know if your leave needs changed or if your leave dates need to be updated.

Guidelines while on leave:

• While on leave, review and promptly return any form and/or request for additional information from Lincoln.
• Contact Lincoln to keep them informed of all updates throughout the leave process.
• Keep your manager informed of any anticipated return-to-work date.
• Review all communications received from Kettering Health and Lincoln. These may contain important information and updates regarding your leave.
• Timekeepers and managers can view the timecard of their employee on leave by going to WFM and searching for their employee. You will then select “advanced settings” and then select “all employees.”

Returning to work:

• If an employee is out for their own personal medical condition, they are prohibited from returning to work until they have been cleared through Employee Health (EH).
• Follow the steps below to prepare to return to work:
  • Inform your manager of your intent to return and obtain a return-to-work release from your physician.
  • Submit return-to-work release to campus employee health department before your first scheduled shift.
• If the leave of absence was not due to a personal illness or injury, inform your manager of your intent to return-to-work. You will also notify Lincoln, as well, so the leave can be closed. You will be returned to an active status the day after your leave end date.
• If you are returning to work earlier than anticipated, you must notify your manager two business days prior to your expected return date as well as employee health.
• When your approved absence period ends, you will be expected to return to work. Failure to return on or before the specified return date without an approved extension may result in discipline up to and including the termination of employment.

Need to extend your leave of absence?

• If you need to extend your medical leave beyond the maximum allowable time, contact Lincoln for additional direction and leave options.
• Inform your manager on needing an extension to your current leave of absence request.
• Your healthcare provider will be required to provide additional documentation to determine if an extension will be granted.

If you anticipate needing time away from work, contact your manager and Lincoln Absence Management Services as early as possible to explore your options and receive guidance. By planning ahead and staying informed, you can focus on what matters most while navigating your leave with confidence.