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Constructing Your Leave
Depending on your employment classification and the benefits you have elected, you can construct a leave for the birth or adoption of your child using these resources. They may also be available if you need to take time off during pregnancy for health reasons.
- University-paid parental leave (after birth or adoption only)
- Accrued sick leave
- Accrued vacation leave
- Leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Additional unpaid leave
- Short term disability insurance
Parental Leave
If you qualify, you can request a paid parental leave for the birth or adoption of your child. If your spouse or same-sex domestic partner gives birth or adopts a child, you may also qualify for a paid parental leave.
Parental leaves for University employees range from two weeks to six weeks depending on your employee group.
| Employee Group | Biological Mother | Biological Father | Adoptive Parent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faculty and P&A Staff (except Duluth Faculty) | Six weeks paid leave | Two weeks paid leave plus four weeks unpaid leave | Two weeks paid leave plus four weeks unpaid leave |
| Duluth Faculty | Six weeks paid leave | Four weeks paid leave plus two weeks unpaid leave | Four weeks paid leave plus two weeks unpaid leave |
| Civil Service and Bargaining Unit Employees | Two weeks paid leave, plus up to 20 days of accumulated sick leave | Two weeks paid leave | Two weeks paid leave |
Accrued Sick Leave
Policies, rules and contract language governing sick leave vary by employee group. For more details about sick leave read the policy for your employee group at the bottom of this page.
Accrued Vacation Leave
After your parental leave and allowed sick leave have expired, both biological and adoptive parents may extend their leave using vacation.
Family & Medical Leave Act
The Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows you to take a leave for birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. The leave is without pay but with continuation of the University's contribution to your benefits including medical and dental plans, life insurance, and retirement benefits.
If you have specific FMLA questions, call April Narcisse in Human Resources at 612-626-1726, or read the University's Family & Medical Leave Act policy.
Additional Unpaid Leave
If you want to extend your leave after using your parental leave, allowable sick and vacation time, and FMLA leave, you may do so without pay. While on unpaid leave, the University will bill you for the full cost of your medical and dental plans and life insurance. You may also elect to continue paying for your optional benefits (disability, additional life, spouse/same-sex domestic partner life, and child life) on the bill.
Short Term Disability Insurance
If you have purchased optional short term disability insurance, call the Employee Benefits Service Center at 612-624-9090 or 800-756-2363 for information on how to apply for your benefit payment.
Policies
Carefully read the policies for your employee group to determine the total length of leave you can take using these combined resources. Your policy will also tell you if you qualify for a paid parental leave and how to notify your supervisor of your leave and intentions to return.
- LELS, Article 19—Leaves of Absence
- Teamsters, Article 19—Leaves of Absence
- AFSCME Unit 4, Article 8—Leaves of Absence
- AFSCME Unit 6, Article 18—Leaves of Absence
- AFSCME Unit 7, Article 18—Leaves of Absence
- Civil Service Rules, Rule 11—Leaves of Absence
- Parental Leave for Academic Employees
- Unpaid Personal Leaves for Faculty and Academic Professional and Administrative Employees
- UEA Article 600.000—Leaves of Absence
- Graduate Assistant Employment Policy
Employee Benefits
- 100 Donhowe Building
- 319 15th Avenue S.E.
- Minneapolis, MN 55455
- 612-624-9090
- 800-756-2363
- 612-626-0808 (fax)
- benefits@umn.edu