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  4. Paternal/Parental Leave (Maintenance, Clerical, Protective Services)

Paternal/Parental Leave of Absence (Maintenance, Clerical, Protective Services)

Definition

The FMLA entitles eligible employees of covered employers to take unpaid job-protected leave for or specified family and medical reasons with continuation of group health insurance coverage under the same terms and conditions as if the employee had not taken leave. Eligible employees are entitled to twelve workweeks of leave in a 12-month period for:

  • the birth of a child and to care for the newborn child within one year of birth;
  • the placement with the employee of a child for adoption or foster care and to care for the newly placed child within one year of placement.

Adoptive parents, parents taking custody of a child and fathers may use 5 sick days toward parental leave. Following sick leave, remainder of leave is unpaid. Following maternity leave, parental leave is unpaid. Optional accruals of up to 30 days can be substituted for unpaid leave, including:

  • Vacation
  • Personal leave
  • Holidays worked
  • Compensatory time

Eligibility

Federal FMLA

  • Eligible after one year of employment and after working 1,250 hours or more in previous 12-months
  • Up to 12 weeks of leave during 12-month FMLA period
  • Leave must begin immediately following adoption, placement of foster child or maternity/paternity leave
  • Leave may not be taken intermittently or on a reduced schedule
  • Continued eligibility for state contributions toward health insurance (directly billed as needed)

CT State Statute 5-248a

  • Eligible as a permanent employee as defined in CT State Statute 5-196(20)
  • Up to 24 weeks of unpaid leave within a two-year period (leave must be for more than 5 days)
  • Leave must begin immediately following adoption or maternity/paternity leave
  • Cannot be taken intermittently or on a reduced schedule
  • May substitute accruals, such as vacation time
  • Continued eligibility for state contributions toward health insurance (directly billed as needed)

Duration

  • Federal FMLA provides up to 12 weeks of leave during 12-month FMLA period
  • CT State Statute 5-248a provides up to 24 weeks of unpaid leave within a two-year period (leave must be for more than 5 days)

Job Protection

Provides for reinstatement to original job or to an equivalent position following leave.

Benefits Protection

Continued eligibility for state contributions toward health insurance (directly billed as needed)

Request a Paternity/Parental Leave

Employees are required to apply for long-term leaves of absence through CORE-CT at the UCONN employee self-service portal.