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Eligibility
If you have been employed at the college for a minimum of 12 consecutive months in a regular position of half time or more, you are eligible for paid parental leave. If you work half time or more, you are eligible for prorated parental leave based on the number of hours you are regularly scheduled to work.
If you hold a limited-term position which exceeds three years, you are entitled to paid parental leave on the same terms and conditions as employees holding regular positions, provided the paid parental leave is taken prior to the end of your appointment or expiration of the grant.
If you have been employed at the college for less than 12 consecutive months, work less than half time, hold a limited-term position of from one to three years, or hold a temporary position, you are not eligible for paid parental leave. You may, however, qualify for unpaid parental leave. See the eligibility requirements in the section Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
Male and female staff who are not eligible for a Family and Medical Leave of twelve weeks to care for their child, but who have completed their initial Orientation and Review Period at the College may be entitled to the benefits of the Massachusetts Maternity Leave Act (MMLA). MMLA grants employees up to 8 weeks of unpaid leave incident to the birth or adoption of a child under three years of age, provided that s/he provides required notice of the departure date and intention to return to work (Adoptive parents, see Adoption Leave policy. The College will continue to pay its share of the individual’s benefit costs during such leave as long as the individual pays his/her share.
Terms and Conditions
Parental leave is available for the birth of a child by yourself, your spouse, or your same-sex registered domestic partner. If both you and your spouse/partner are college employees, only one primary caregiver leave can be granted. You are eligible for paid leave only if you are returning to work for at least a three month period following the leave.
Primary Caregiver
An employee who takes primary responsibility for the care of a newborn child is eligible for eight- weeks leave with normal pay for benefits during the period immediately following the birth. A primary caregiver should be that person who takes primary responsibility for the care of an infant the majority of the time. In order to exercise the primary care giver benefit, an employee must complete an Affidavit of Parental Leave stating that he or she is the primary person responsible for the child. This policy depends on, and assumes, the good faith of its participants. If at any time it is determined that any information in an Affidavit of Parental Leave is not true, or if leave circumstances change and you are no longer qualified for paid parental leave, all benefits will cease, and you will be responsible to repay the value of any wages or benefits derived. Salary continuation for parental leave is available only for the period of time you would normally be at work (i.e., if you work an academic-year schedule, you would not be eligible for paid parental leave during the summer).
Non-Primary Caregiver
An employee may apply for up to five consecutive days of paid parental leave at your normal weekly rate of pay. Leave benefits will be paid only for the periods in which the employee would otherwise have worked.
The College contributions to health, dental, life, and disability insurance in which the employee is enrolled will continue for 12 weeks to the extent provided by the Family and Medical Leave Act. In addition, retirement plan contributions will continue during any period of paid leave.
Application and Approval Process
You should notify your department head as soon as possible but no later than four months before the baby is due or as soon as an adoption is confirmed. You should then obtain from the Office of Human Resources the following:
Promptly complete the Affidavit of Parental Leave and submit it to the Office of Human Resources. Give the Attending Physician's Statement form (if applicable) to your doctor and request that s/he return the completed form to the Office of Human Resources as soon as possible. In the event you adopt a child age five or under into your immediate family, you are eligible for eight weeks of paid adoption leave at your normal rate of pay beginning on the date the child enters your household. Employees who are adopting more than one child at one time may be entitled to extra leave time and should consult the Office of Human Resources for more information. To be eligible for paid leave, you must be the adopted child's primary caregiver as defined by the adoption agency.
After review of your application and the physician's statement (if applicable), the Office of Human Resources will send a notice to you and your department head confirming the expected dates of your parental leave and of your return to work.
Pre- or Post-Delivery Disability
Sick Leave (to the extent you have it available) will be granted if you are certified by your doctor to be medically disabled either before or after your Parental leave. See Application for Medical Leave under Sick
Leave for Exempt/Administrative Staff or Non-Exempt/Administrative
Support Staff.
Additional Leave
After the eight weeks paid leave, the primary care giver may use any accrued vacation time to continue a paid leave up to a maximum of 12 weeks leave. If there is no accrued vacation time, the employee may continue an unpaid leave to a maximum of 12 weeks. For more information regarding unpaid leave options, see Family Leave and Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
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