General Policy: Furlough is generally required for international employees. There are three main purposes for it:
Furlough is generally considered an every other year event. As a rule of thumb, the average length of furlough is three months. On a typical three-month home service leave, 8-10 weeks will normally be spent strengthening ministry support with individuals and churches and promoting the international ministry (MTD and recruiting). The remaining month may be divided among travel and vacation time for personal recuperation or spiritual preparation for the missionary and his/her family. Travel to and from the field is included in the furlough. The duration and frequency of furlough may be adjusted in coordination with the missionary's supervisor.
During furlough years, international missionaries are entitled to a minimum of 20 days of PTO (four calendar weeks), even if their tenure with Reliant would normally allow for only 15 days. These extra days are intended to support travel and adjustment needs during furlough. Common practice of most missionaries to use 2-4 weeks of that PTO allowance during the 3 month furlough period. If the missionary would like to use their furlough PTO at another point in the year, they may coordinate with their local supervisor, and shorten their home stay in correlation to that PTO. PTO days may be spent at the location of the missionary's choice. In the event an international employee does not take home service leave, he or she should follow the policy in PTO.
International employees must consult with their supervisor to determine an appropriate time for furlough in order to minimize disruptions to the ministry. Consideration will be given to families with school-age children who desire to coordinate their home service with school breaks. All furlough requests must be approved by a supervisor at least one month prior to the home service departure date, however Reliant recommends that furloughs are scheduled at least six months in advance.
In preparing for furlough, international employees should conduct a thorough review of their MTD status three months prior to departure and write a strategic plan for doing ministry team development while in the States. Employees may consult with their supervisor and MTD coach for specific advice and direction about support strategies and a plan for their home service leave. A written copy of the MTD furlough plan and goals must be given to the supervisor and emailed or faxed to the International Liaison at the Reliant headquarters at least one month prior to departure. International employees are responsible to raise the total amount of funds determined by Reliant to cover the salary and expenses required for their position.
International missionaries must check in with the International Liaison (by phone or in person) within the first week of their return to the United States on furlough. As an employer, Reliant is required to know that an employees is working within the US. Missionaries should inform the International Liaison of their travel plans and MTD goals. International employees are also strongly encouraged to visit the Reliant office in Orlando, Florida, during their home service leave in order to strengthen relationships with the office staff.
International Missionaries are requested to schedule a Professional Debrief with the Missionary Resources Team during their furlough. This is best done between the second and fourth week of furlough. It lasts approximately 90 minutes. The Professional Debrief allows the missionary to inform the Reliant team about successes, challenges and needs they experienced during their prior term.
Employee expenses incurred during the work portion of home service leave are considered ministry expenses and are eligible for reimbursement according to Reliant's reimbursement policies. Such expenses may typically include employee airfare to and from the United States, transportation costs incurred while performing MTD, housing, and food expenses. Some expenses incurred during home service (such as those for family members not employed by Reliant) may be considered taxable according to Reliant's reimbursement policies. Expenses incurred during the vacation portion of home service leave are considered personal expenses and are not eligible for reimbursement.
| The furlough form and the travel notification form must be completed with all expected travel. |
See also: Travel Assistance insurance for ACE International Travel Assistance information
| Are you a part of a country that has a totalization agreement? If you are a missionary in one of the countries listed in the Furlough Request, you may need to plan a 6-month exit from the host country every 5 years to comply with the agreement, Please contact hr@reliant.org if you have questions. |
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