Parental leave provides four weeks of paid time off within a rolling 12-month period for employees who are welcoming a new child into their home. Parental leave is available upon hiring for benefit-eligible administrative, service and support employees, as well as certain non-regular academic employees as approved by the chancellor and president.  

Qualifying events include the birth of a child or the placement of a child with the employee for adoption or foster care. Employees may take parental leave for more than one qualifying event within a rolling 12-month period but may not exceed the maximum four weeks. Employees also may use their annual PTO allocation if they would like to take additional time off to welcome a child. 

Find more detailed information in the HR-423 Parental Leave Pay Policy. 

For questions, reach out to the HR Service Center. 

Parental Leave Overview

Income Replacement

Provides 100% income replacement: 

  • Employees receive 100% of their base rate of pay 
  • Runs concurrently with FMLA, which provides job protection 
  • Must be an employee at time of birth, foster or adoption to qualify 

Up to Four Weeks*

Income replacement for up to 160 hours in a rolling 12-month period: 

  • Available for continuous time off and reduced work schedules 
  • Minimum use of seven calendar days at a time 
  • Must use within 12 months of qualifying event 

*Hours are prorated for employees working less than 100% FTE. 

Bonding With Child

Available for bonding with a new child: 

  • For birthing and non-birthing employees 
  • Can be used for birth, foster and adoption 
  • Can be used following short-term disability for the birthing parent 

Applying for Parental Leave

Because parental leave is one of the qualifying leave types — along with short-term disability and caregiver leave — employees must first apply to use parental leave. Visit Taking Extended Leave for information on applying, taking and returning from parental leave. 

Using Leave When Welcoming a New Child

Birthing

  • FMLA: Provides job protection, runs concurrently with paid leave 
  • Short-term disability: Childbirth is a qualifying medical event 
  • Parental leave: Available for bonding after short-term disability 

Non-Birthing

  • FMLA: Provides job protection, runs concurrently with paid leave 
  • Parental leave: Available for bonding 

Foster/Adoption

  • FMLA: Provides job protection, runs concurrently with paid leave 
  • Parental leave: Available for bonding