Child Entering Home
The University of Iowa provides time away from work for pre-natal needs, recovery from child birth, placement of a foster child or adoption, as well as bonding time following the child’s birth/placement to your home. Your eligibility for absence away will depend upon your classification your available leave accruals and your eligibility for FMLA. Please notify your HR Representative who can provide more detailed information or access the Parental Leave Course in ICON.
Sick leave
Sick leave can be used for pre-natal appointments for
a birth mother, as well as the medical recovery portion of leave following
birth, typically six weeks. Additionally, sick leave may be used by the
partner/spouse when caring for the mother during these events, as family
caregiving leave. The Operations Manual provides information regarding sick leave use for parental leave, and you can
access information regarding the use of Family Caregiving Leave. You can access
your rate of accrual and balance here (personal tab/time reporting/vacation/sick leave report).
Vacation
In certain circumstances, vacation may be used for
absence, in lieu of sick leave, for foster care placement activities, as well as
for bonding leave for both parents, in accordance with the Operations Manual policy regarding its use.
Vacation must be requested and approved in advance in most situations, so please
communicate with your supervisor and/or HR Representative. You can access your
rate of accrual and balance here.
Adoption Leave
Up to 40 hours of sick leave may be utilized for
adoption leave, immediately following placement in the home, and in accordance
with the Operations Manual policy. Please
speak with your HR representative for more details.
FMLA
The Family Medical Leave Act is a federal law that
provides eligible employees up to 12 weeks of leave each calendar year. This
leave is unpaid, but is used in conjunction with your sick leave and vacation
accruals to provide pay during approved absence. FMLA is available both for
medical recovery from birth, as well as additional time to bond with a child
following birth or entry into the home. Attached is a link to basic information regarding FMLA and its
approved use or you may view the FMLA Toolbox. Your department HR representative must approve FMLA
absence.
Rights
- You have a right to take time away from work for pre-natal needs, as well as birth of a child.
- You have a right to utilize available paid leave accruals for circumstances
covered by university policy.
Responsibilities
- You are responsible for communicating your absence needs to your supervisor/Human Resources in advance whenever possible.
- In certain circumstances medical documentation may be required, such as
extended medical absence for pregnancy or birth.
Page last updated December 2012