Taking a Leave of Absence (LOA)
This page outlines what associates need to do for a smooth leave experience at each stage of the process.
Use the tabs below to walk you through the entire LOA process from requesting your leave, to managing your claim while you are off work, to returning back to work.
If you know you will need to take a leave of absence, it is important to talk to your manager and provide 30 days’ notice when possible. They can provide guidance and assistance through the process and help you understand which type of leave applies to your situation. Sedgwick will ask you questions about the reason for requesting a leave.
Once you’ve requested a leave, you’ll remain active until a decision is made on your claim.
Continue to report each absence to your manager until Sedgwick has communicated a decision on your claim. If you are an hourly associate, you may receive attendance occurrences if you do not report these absences timely.
Tip: If you haven’t done so already, you’ll need to sign up for two-factor authentication (added online security using your phone) before you go on leave, so you can access your Walmart login while you’re away.
File your request online through mySedgwick.com.
All leave requests must be submitted to Sedgwick, even if you’re applying for a personal reason that requires approval by your manager.
You’ll need to provide:
- Walmart Identification Number (WIN)
- The reason for your leave
- The last day you will be at work
- The first day you will miss work
- The amount of PTO you would like Sedgwick to apply towards your seven (7) calendar day waiting period or if your leave of absence is unpaid
- Your estimated return to work date
- Your most recent two (2) week work schedule (hourly), three (3) week work schedule (salary) or four (4) week work schedule (drivers)
- Health care provider’s address, phone number, and fax number
When making your request, choose to receive communications by text and email to ensure you receive important claim information timely. By providing your email address, you can receive your initial packet within 2-3 business days by email, rather than waiting 7-10 business days for delivery by postal mail.
You may have a state and local leave benefit available based on the state or locality where you work. Follow the instructions in the initial packet from Sedgwick for filing with your state and review the state and local leave section on the LOA Overview Page.
Attending Physician Statement and/or Medical Certification — If your leave is for medical reasons, take the form provided by Sedgwick to your medical provider for completion. Always follow up with your medical provider to confirm that the form has been completed and returned by the due date.
Your claim may be denied if Sedgwick does not receive your completed Attending Physician Statement and/or Medical Certification within 20 days.
- If you cannot submit the form in time, request an extension with Sedgwick through the communications center at mySedgwick.com or by calling Sedgwick before the deadline.
- If your leave is a result of emergency medical treatment, Sedgwick will accept information from the emergency room doctor showing the date you went to the ER, the patient treated (yourself or a family member), the medical reason, and the dates the doctor recommends you miss work and continue ongoing medical treatment.
Release of Information—This form allows Sedgwick to contact your medical providers to coordinate your leave and get any additional details or clarification.
To return your completed forms:
- Upload to mySedgwick.com
- Email to WalmartForms@Sedgwicksir.com
- Fax to 859-264-4372 or 859-280-3270
Sedgwick will notify you of the reason why your leave or disability was denied and provide guidance on what to do next.
The most common reasons for denials are:
- Not providing all your supporting documentation within 20 days
- Not providing additional information requested by Sedgwick within 12 days
- Exhaustion of available leave benefits
- The request is outside of Company policy guidelines
- A personal discretionary leave denied by your manager for business reasons
Sedgwick may approve your leave of absence but deny your request for short-term disability. This may be due to your medical documentation supporting leave time but not indicating that you have a disabling condition as defined by the short-term disability plan.
Partner with your manager or people partner to discuss your options, next steps, and communicate any return-to-work plans.
If the request for a leave of absence has been denied and you do not agree with the decision, you should first contact Sedgwick to get clarification on the denial reason.
If you still have concerns after speaking with Sedgwick, you may use the Open Door Communications Policy and that team will advise on the next steps.
If you aren’t eligible for FMLA, and you need an intermittent leave due to a medical condition, you can submit a request to the Accommodation Service Center for consideration of intermittent time away from work under the Accommodation in Employment Policy.
The Accommodation Service Center will review your request and determine your eligibility. Intermittent accommodation approvals are for your own health condition only, not to care for a family member. You can contact the Accommodation Service Center at 855-489-1600, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CT).
Sedgwick uses a third-party language line, which provides a translator for you when you’re talking with a Sedgwick representative. This language line supports over 250 different languages. While all forms are in English, you can fill out your medical certification form in another language and Sedgwick will have it translated.
Here’s how you can stay up to date with your leave status and disability benefits:
- Respond promptly to any requests for information from Sedgwick.
- Track your leave status on mySedgwick.com/Walmart.
- Keep your benefits coverage up to date if needed.
- Stay in touch with your manager or people partner.
- Plan for your return to work.
- If you need more time off, request an extension with Sedgwick before your current leave ends.
Let Sedgwick and your manager know about any scheduled time for your intermittent leave, even if you arrive late or leave early. Report your time away at mySedgwick.com or call 800-492-5678.
IMPORTANT: You must report any absences to Sedgwick for your intermittent leave within two (2) calendar days of the absence, or the absence will be denied by Sedgwick, and you may be held accountable for attendance occurrences.
You may be asked to recertify your intermittent leave if you exceed the frequency and duration that was listed on your original medical certification or if your intermittent leave has exhausted and you continue to be absent.
If recertification is needed, Sedgwick will send you a request, which must be completed by your medical provider and returned to Sedgwick within 20 days.
If recertification is requested due to absences that exceed the frequency and duration set by your medical provider, those absences will be placed in a “pending” status, meaning they have not yet been approved or denied. If your recertification supports those absences, they will be approved. If not, they will be denied, and you could be held accountable for attendance occurrences.
In general, leave of absences are not paid. However, eligible associates may qualify for available income replacement benefits such as:
- Short-term or long-term disability benefits if the leave is for their own serious health condition. To qualify for these disability benefits, you must meet the plan’s eligibility requirements, and the condition must meet the plan’s definition of a disability.
- Worker’s compensation benefits if your own serious health condition is work-related.
- Available PTO, PPTO, or FlexTO time consistent with the applicable policy.
- Any other eligible income replacement benefit.
Pay while on leave will go through Walmart payroll and will be paid on your regular pay date.
If you are receiving pay through Walmart’s payroll system, any current or past-due benefit premiums will be automatically deducted from your paycheck. However, if you are receiving payments from other sources—such as long-term disability benefits paid by Lincoln, short-term disability benefits not processed through Walmart’s payroll, or off-cycle checks—no premiums will be deducted. In these cases, you are responsible for making premium payments to avoid cancellation of coverage.
Premium payment options
- Online – credit or debit card: To avoid interruption or cancellation of coverage, premium payments can be made in advance or before the due date by logging into the payment portal on One.Walmart.com/Enroll.
- Phone – credit or debit card: You can also call People Services at (800) 421-1362 and say, “make a payment.” Payments made through the payment portal or by calling People Services can be made with a VISA, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover credit or debit card.
- Mail – check or money order: Payments of premiums may also be made by check or money order and should be made payable to Associates Health and Welfare Trust and mailed to:
Walmart People Services
P.O. Box 1039
Department 3001
Lowell, Arkansas 72745
To ensure proper credit, when you send payment, you must include your name and WIN number on the payment. Please allow 10–14 days for processing. If you are unable to make your premium payments, payments made by someone else on your behalf will be accepted.
To ensure you receive your pay and have access to necessary systems, you must contact Sedgwick up to seven (7) days prior to your return-to-work date.
You may confirm your return to work by:
- Using mySedgwick.com/Walmart
- Calling Sedgwick at 800-492-5678
- If you receive text messages from Sedgwick, you will be reminded by text to confirm the date you are returning to work. These messages will be sent seven (7) days and two (2) days prior to your scheduled return.
Additionally, notify your manager as soon as you know your return date. If your leave is for a medical condition, you must provide your completed return-to-work form to Sedgwick as well as your manager on your first day back. Your return-to-work will be reported to Walmart systematically on your confirmed return-to-work date. If you submit your return date to Sedgwick and it is either the same day you are reporting it or a backdated date, please note that it may take up to 48 hours for your status to be reactivated with Walmart.
In some cases, your medical provider may release you to work with medical restrictions, such as limited lifting or standing. Sedgwick will work with you, your provider, and your facility to see if a job adjustment or an accommodation can help you do your job. Here’s what you’ll need to do:
- Ask your medical provider to describe these restrictions on your return-to-work certification. You can find the return-to-work certification form in your initial leave packet, approval notice for medical leave, and on mySedgwick.com.
- Upload your completed form to mySedgwick.com, email it to WalmartForms@Sedgwicksir.com, or fax it to 859-264-4372 or 859-280-3270.
If you’re unable to perform the essential job functions of your previous position, either with or without a reasonable accommodation, your leave may be extended, or you may be offered reassignment and placed on a job search. If you need an adjustment or accommodation to do your job, contact Sedgwick’s Accommodations Service Center team at 855-489-1600. They will work with you and your medical provider to understand your needs and try to get you set up to return.
For additional information please refer to the Disability Accommodations page.
Need help?
For leave of absence help, visit mySedgwick.com or call Sedgwick at 800-492-5678.For benefits help call People Services at One.Walmart.com/BenefitsChat or call 1-800-421-1362.
