Maternity and Parental Leave
New parents are eligible for paid and unpaid time off when planning to welcome a new child by birth, adoption, foster care or legal guardianship. At Central Michigan University, maternity and parental leave for staff is granted under the guidelines of the Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which allows an eligible employee to use 12 weeks of FML leave within the first year after birth or placement. This leave is typically taken as a continuous absence; however, FMLA provides that intermittent leave is available for the care of a healthy new child only with the employer's agreement. Please view Family and Medical Leave for additional details.
At the discretion of your supervisor, a Non-FML Medical Leave or Personal Leave may be granted beyond FML, or as an alternate leave if you do not meet the FMLA eligibility requirements.
How do I initiate a request for Maternity or Parental Leave?
It's important to begin conversations with your supervisor about your need for leave as far in advance as possible; however, only a 30-day notice is required. In addition to notifying your supervisor, you may need to provide documentation:
For Maternity Leave (childbirth)
You'll need to complete Section II of the *Medical Certification – Employee form (must be opened with Adobe Acrobat to be viewed; right-click to download file or use Firefox browser to access file). Ask your healthcare provider to complete the rest.
For Parental Leave (bonding with a new child)*
No medical paperwork is necessary unless you are required to care for your spouse/other eligible individual following the birth, or there is a medical condition of the child that requires your care. If medical care is required for your spouse and/or new child, you'll need to complete Section II of the Medical Certification – Family Member form (must be opened with Adobe Acrobat to be viewed; right-click to download file or use Firefox browser to access file). Ask your healthcare provider to complete the rest. For adoption, foster care or legal guardianship, you may be asked to provide proof of the placement.
*Please note that eligible spouses/other eligible individuals who work for the same employer are limited to a combined total of 12 workweeks for Parental Leave. Please view the Department of Labor Fact Sheet for additional details.
Completed medical certification forms can be faxed directly to Human Resources at (989) 774-3256 or email to staffleaves@cmich.edu.
Do I have to use FML? What if I have enough sick or vacation time to cover my leave of absences?
If it is determined that you are eligible for FML, you and/or your supervisor must report your FML hours used. FML is not a stand-alone or separate leave. For Maternity or Parental Leave, FML is tracked concurrently with sick, vacation, personal, comp time, unpaid leave, etc. If on an approved FML leave, you may bank up to 40 hours of vacation and/or any comp time, if applicable.
What type of paid leave can I use while on Maternity or Parental Leave?
For Maternity Leave (childbirth)
You are permitted to use sick time during the medical disability period (typically 6-8 weeks immediately following childbirth, depending on the delivery - natural vs. cesarean section). Leave beyond the medical disability period is considered Parental Leave and only vacation, personal or comp time (if applicable) may be used.
For Parental Leave (bonding with a new child)
You are not permitted to use sick time unless you are required to care for your spouse/other eligible individual following the birth, or there is a medical condition of the child that requires your care. Vacation, personal or comp time (if applicable) must be used if there is no medical condition requiring your care.
If you exhaust all your paid leave options before you return to work, any remaining leave time will be unpaid.
For additional questions about Maternity and Parental Leave, please contact Human Resources at (989) 774-2010 or email staffleaves@cmich.edu.
What happens to my benefits while I'm on Maternity or Parental Leave?
For information about benefit continuation while on Maternity or Parental Leave, please view Benefits while on Leave. If you need to add the new child to your benefit coverage, you must complete and return a Status Change Request form to the Benefits & Wellness office within 30-days of the birth, or placement.
For additional assistance, please visit the Benefits & Wellness Office in Rowe 108, call (989) 774-3661 or email benefits@cmich.edu.
*Secure forms must be downloaded and opened up with Adobe Reader.