Parental Leave Policy

Purpose: To provide Postdoctoral Researchers paid Parental Leave for the birth or adoption of a child.

Parental Leave Policy

A Postdoctoral Researcher may take up to six weeks (30 workdays) of paid Parental Leave after the birth or adoption of a child. Births of twins/multiples do not extend the leave allotment.

Except as described below regarding Short-Term Disability, Parental Leave must be taken in one block of consecutive workdays within 12 months of the birth or adoption of a child.

Postdoctoral Researchers eligible for Short-Term Disability may elect to use paid Parental Leave in up to two one-week increments to cover the Short-Term Disability waiting period. After completion of Short-Term Disability, any remaining Parental Leave must be taken in one block of consecutive workdays within 12 months of the birth of a child.

Postdoctoral Researchers taking Parental Leave who are also eligible for leave through the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) shall have FMLA time run concurrently.

When both parents eligible for the University of Chicago Parental Leave are working for the same supervisor, the supervisor may elect to allow only one of the parents to take Parental Leave at a time.

Supervisors are expected to work with the Postdoctoral Researcher preparing for the commencement and conclusion of their leave. Supervisors may not decline to reappoint a Postdoctoral Researcher because they are on Parental Leave or have announced their intention to take Parental Leave.

During a Postdoctoral Researcher’s Parental Leave, the University will maintain health insurance and other benefits on the same conditions as if the Postdoctoral Researcher were working, subject to applicable plan documents and law. While on Parental Leave, the Postdoctoral Researcher’s share of the premiums for those benefits will continue through payroll deduction at the same contribution rate as if they were an active Postdoctoral Researcher.

Administration of Parental Leave

A Postdoctoral Researcher who anticipates a Parental Leave should discuss plans with the Designated Dean’s Office Contact and their supervisor well in advance and must complete a Leave Request Form returned to the Designated Dean’s Office Contact at least 30 days in advance, if possible. When 30 days’ written notice is not possible, the Postdoctoral Researcher must provide the notice as soon as is practicable.

If the Postdoctoral Researcher is also requesting FMLA leave due to the same event, only one Leave Request Form needs to be completed.

The Designated Dean’s Office Contact in coordination with Leave Administration will inform Postdoctoral Researchers of additional obligations, including the need for documentation supporting the need for Parental Leave.