HR106 Paid Parental Leave for Staff Employees

POLICY'S INITIAL DATE: July 1, 2020 

THIS VERSION EFFECTIVE: July 1, 2022

Contents:

• Purpose
• Eligibility
• Program
• Provisions for Paid Parental Leave
• References

PURPOSE:

To outline the provisions of the Paid Parental Leave program for full-time benefits-eligible staff employees and academic employees who accrue vacation and are ineligible for leave under HRG18 - Paid Parental Leave for Faculty. This program provides salary continuation via a leave of absence from work for the purpose of bonding with a newborn child/children, placement of a child/children upon adoption, or appointment as legal guardian of child/children.

ELIGIBILITY:

This program applies to:

• full-time, benefits-eligible staff and
• academic employees who: 1) accrue vacation, and 2) are ineligible for leave under HRG18

and who have six (6) months of continuous full-time service with Penn State. 

Eligibility for this program ceases immediately if the employee separates from employment at the University. 

PROGRAM:

Birth of a Child/Children:

Salary and benefits for eligible employees shall be continued for up to four consecutive weeks within 90 calendar days following the birth, including birth by surrogacy, of the child/children for the birthing and non-birthing parent.

Adoption or Legal Guardianship of a Child/Children:

Salary and benefits for eligible employees shall be continued for up to four consecutive weeks within 90 calendar days following the legal adoption or guardianship of the child/children.

PROVISIONS FOR PAID PARENTAL LEAVE:

It is the responsibility of the employee to notify Absence Management of their intention to request the Paid Parental Leave at least 30 days in advance, if the need is foreseeable.

Any time taken under the Paid Parental Leave must be utilized consecutively within the first 90 calendar days from the date of the qualifying event.

If both parents work for the University and meet the eligibility requirements of this program, each employee is individually eligible for up to four consecutive weeks of Paid Parental Leave as outlined above. Paid Parental Leave for both parents can run concurrently, overlap, or be over separate four-week periods during the first 90 calendar days from the date of the qualifying event.

Full-time employees on a reduced FTE schedule (HR105 employees) should consult the Frequently Asked Questions to address their specific situation.

Paid Parental Leave taken under this policy will run concurrently with any remaining leave available under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).  

Employee will be required to present the requisite documentation to verify the qualifying event.

The University will maintain enrolled benefits for employees during the Paid Parental Leave period at the employee contribution rate.

REFERENCES:

For assistance, contact Absence Management 

HR105 Reduced FTE Schedules

HRG11 Family and Medical Leave

HRG18 Paid Parental Leave for Faculty