Holcombe Will Take Leave, May Not Return to Harvard

The University yesterday granted a request by Sherman Holcombe, the recently-reinstated shop steward of the Radcliffe dining halls, for a leave of absence effective immediately. The granting of the leave led to speculation yesterday by Edward W. Powers, director of employee relations, that Holcombe may not return to his job when the leave expires at the end of this academic year.

Powers said yesterday that the terms of Holcombe's leave are such that if a job is not available in the Radcliffe dining halls when Holcombe returns in June, Harvard will be under no obligation to rehire him.

The University normally guarantees jobs to workers returning from leaves but it does not guarantee a return to their original places of employment.

"If there is no vacancy at Radcliffe at the time Holcombe returns, he doesn't get reinstated--we can't promise to hold a job open for him until next fall," Powers explained. "I can't quite understand why, but he asked for this, it was his choice, and there was no pressure on our part."

Holcombe said yesterday that he requested the unusual terms because he wants to return to Radcliffe "to continue pushing for changes" there.

"I'm taking this leave because if I don't get the hell out of there while I'm fighting to get my name cleared, I'd probably be fired," he added.

He said he believes the University will give him a job when he returns.

The University reinstated Holcombe last Thursday after an eight-day suspension which followed an argument between Holcombe and his supervisor Holcombe, who returned to work yesterday, has said repeatedly since his reinstatement that its terms are so harsh that they effectively block him from functioning as a shop steward.

He is currently fighting to have the suspension removed from his record.

"My hands aren't tied any more," Holcombe said. "I'm going to do everything in my power to clear my name and to reinstate myself properly."

He said that he may drive a truck during his leave