The Philadelphia Domestic Abuse Leave Ordinance (PDAL) allows eligible employees who are victims or whose qualifying family members are victims of domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking to take up to eight (8) weeks of unpaid leave during a single 12-month period to receive applicable victim support services. These may be services provided for or by medical providers and/or victim services organizations. They may include psychological or other counseling, participation in safety planning, assistance for temporary or permanent relocation, or legal assistance in connection with such domestic or sexual abuse.
Eligibility
To be eligible, an employee must be either a full-time or regular part-time (20 hours or more) nonbargaining employee, and have completed at least six months of continuous service. Granting of the leave is a discretionary determination by the university.
Qualifying Events
An eligible employee may use this leave either for self or a family member to
- seek medical attention to recover from injuries caused by domestic abuse or sexual violence,
- obtain help and services from a victim’s services organization,
- obtain counseling or therapy,
- seek legal assistance including preparing for or participating in any civil or criminal legal proceedings related to domestic or sexual violence, or
- take actions to prevent future domestic or sexual violence such as safety planning or relocating.
PDAL Provisions
- This leave can be continuous (a block of three or more continuous days) or intermittent (less than three days and sporadic). Leave under the ordinance does not extend an employee’s leave entitlement beyond the 12 weeks the employee may be entitled to under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for a 12-month period.
- Temple University requires employees to use all unused sick days (if appropriate and in accordance with the university’s sick leave policy), vacation and personal holidays while on leave. If an employee has exhausted all paid leave time and is not receiving disability benefits through Temple University, the balance of the leave is unpaid.
Apply for PDAL
Upon submitting your request, as practical, we will contact you within 48 hours as to the decision of the request. Additional documentation, as applicable, may be required for the application.
To apply, login and navigate to TUportal > Staff Tools tab > Employee Dashboard channel. Scroll down to Additional Links and select Leave of Absence Request. Or call our office at 215-926-2282.
All personal and medical information provided to Absence Management is held in strict confidence.
Employees Covered by Collective Bargaining Agreements/Unions
Employees covered by a union and, therefore, a collective bargaining agreement or contract should consult the agreement for additional information. In cases in which university policy and an agreement are in conflict, the provisions of the agreement will supersede.
Contact Us
For questions regarding Philadelphia domestic abuse leave, call 215-926-2282 or email [click-for-email].