Leave of Absence
Sparrow Leave of Absence Management
To ensure that you have the best leave experience, F5 has partnered with Sparrow an end-to-end leave management solution that combines a digital platform with expert leave specialists to support you if you need to take a medical leave and/or other legally-protected leave. Sparrow will work with you throughout your leave so that you can focus on your health, your families’ health, bonding with child, military leave, etc.
A Sparrow leave specialist will work with you to discuss your leave plans, identify the key dates when they need to be involved, and help guide you through navigating the leave of absence process.
FAQ’s
What is a medical Leave of Absence and/or other legally-protected leave?
A leave of absence is an extended time off from regular work to deal with various circumstances including but not limited to your own injury, illness or disability, to bond with a new child, or to care for a loved one who is injured or disabled. Some of these conditions are covered under various federal, state or local laws if all other criteria are met.
I need time off but I’m not sure if it qualifies as a Leave of Absence. What should I do?
Please send an email to the Benefits team at Benefits@f5.com. We will discuss your needs and potential options available to you. If applicable, we will introduce you to Sparrow to start planning your leave.
Does F5 offer any pay replacement programs during my leave?
Please refer to the Leave of Absence Overview for more information about pay replacement programs.
How do I initiate a leave?
Visit app.trysparrow.com/signup/ and create an account using you work email address. During signup, you will be prompted to provide:
- Type of leave
- Tentative leave dates
- Basic information needed to determine benefit eligibility
Once your leave of absence request has been submitted, the leave is reviewed by both Sparrow and the Benefits team. Please Note: your leave is not automatically approved.
Before My Leave
Once you are connected with Sparrow, a Sparrow Leave Specialist will complete an intake process with you to develop your leave plan based on your unique circumstances. This intake will include an overview of F5’s LOA policy applicable to your leave type, state and/or private disability insurance benefits, and federal, state and local job protection regulations. They’ll help you map out your entire leave and answer any questions that you may have about your leave and wage replacement during your absence.
After intake, Sparrow will provide a recap and create your custom leave plan based on your leave goals.
During My Leave
On your Sparrow dashboard, you will have a clear checklist of tasks and access to relevant knowledge base articles to guide you throughout the claims process. Any claim filing steps and deadlines will be clearly indicated in your tasks. Sparrow’s guides base their advice on real time knowledge due to their close partnership with state agencies and disability insurance carriers. Sparrow will also be available to ensure all your questions or concerns are addressed.
The Benefits team and your manager will also be updated at significant touchpoints during your leave, for example when you submit a date change or extension request or confirm your return-to-work date.
After My Leave
After your leave has been completed, Sparrow will always be available to answer any remaining leave-related questions that arise.
Disability
Short Term Disability (STD)
- You are eligible to receive STD benefits after you have been disabled for 7 days due to a non-work-related illness or injury.
- Replaces up to 60% of your eligible income, up to a maximum of $2,500 per week.
- Benefits end after 13 weeks.
Long Term Disability (LTD)
- You are eligible to receive LTD benefits after 90 days of disability
- Replaces up to 60% of your eligible income, up to a maximum of $15,000 per month until you recover or reach your Social Security Normal Retirement Age, whichever is sooner.