New Child Leave (i.e., Parental Leave)

Description

The University of Pennsylvania provides paid Parental (New Child) Leave to support postdoctoral researchers and fellows following the birth or adoption of a child. This benefit allows postdocs to take time away from work while continuing to receive their regular pay and benefits, supporting work-life balance and family well-being.

Key Features of the Policy

• Paid Leave: Postdocs may receive up to 60 calendar days of paid leave per appointment year for the birth or adoption of a child. This benefit applies to all benefits-eligible postdocs, including Postdoctoral Researchers, Postdoctoral Fellows, and NRSA Fellows.
• Flexibility: Postdocs may choose the start and end dates of their leave. Leave does not need to begin on the child’s birth or adoption date. Postdocs should discuss scheduling and coverage with their faculty mentor or department and submit that leave request in writing.
• Splitting Leave: The 60-day leave period may be divided into multiple segments, as long as all leave is used within the same appointment year and approved by the department. Exceptions to this request may be approved in writing based on the timing of the leave start.
• Approval Process: Mentors may not deny a new child leave request without authorization from the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA). Unused sick or vacation days may be used, with approval, to extend the period of leave. Additional leave may be granted at the mentor’s discretion.
• Postdocs are strongly encouraged to plan their leave in advance and communicate in writing their preferred timing early to ensure proper coordination with FMLA and departmental needs.
• Foreign National Postdocs: International postdocs are eligible for new child leave. To remain under Penn J-1 sponsorship, postdocs must continue to receive pay and medical benefits during the 60-day period. They must also remain home with the child and not engage in remote work for Penn or any other entity. Foreign national postdocs should contact ISSS prior to the start of their leave to update their records.

Coordination with Family and Medical Leave (FMLA)

The University’s Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) policy provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for the birth or adoption of a child for members of the university community who have been employed for at least 12 months and have worked 1,250 hours in the year prior to the request.

Eligible postdocs may take paid Parental (New Child) Leave concurrently with FMLA during the first 12 weeks following the birth or adoption of a child (if FMLA time is available) or at any time within the first 12 months after the event. When taken concurrently, the 60 days of paid parental leave count toward the FMLA period. NRSA Fellows are not eligible for FMLA.

Postdocs who wish to take paid parental leave outside of the FMLA period (after the first 12 weeks) must request and receive approval from their faculty mentor or department chair in advance, similar to PTO scheduling. Departments are encouraged to be flexible in approving requests made after the initial 12-week period.

Submitting an FMLA Leave Request

Postdocs can learn more and submit their FMLA leave request directly through Penn Human Resources. Visit: Requesting a Leave of Absence – Penn HR

Reference and Full Policy

For complete details, please review the official University policy in the Almanac, Vol. 69, No. 37: Penn’s Postdoctoral Leave Policy (Almanac)