University offers voluntary unpaid leave to some employees

The University of Minnesota is offering voluntary unpaid leaves of absence during the government shutdown to employees whose work is funded by state grants.

The offer is extended as a money saving measure during the government shutdown. The university receives $125 million dollars in annual grants from the state. Those grants stopped coming in July 1 when the shutdown began.

So far, one employee has accepted the offer, said Kathy Brown, U of M vice president of human resources. "This is a very narrowly tailored program directed to a small number of people."

The leaves of absence are aimed toward researchers and scientists whose work is funded by the state grants. The offer is not extended to faculty members. Employees will still receive their health benefits during the voluntary leaves.

The university remains open during the state government shutdown through the use of its own reserve funds.