Maternity-Paternity Leave

Eligibility

  • Applies to faculty members with a minimum of 12 months of service and who worked a minimum of 1250 hours in the previous 12 months.

Regulations

  • FMLA provides for a maximum of 12 weeks of unpaid leave during any 12-month period for leave taken for the purpose outlined in this section of the policy. The 12-month period is a rolling period measured from the date an employee uses any FMLA leave under this policy. Each time an employee takes FMLA leave, the remaining leave entitlement will be any remaining balance of the 12 weeks that has not been used during the preceding 12 months.  
  • When both spouses are employed by the Institute, the combined leave entitlement for maternity and paternity and adoption/foster care leave will be no greater than 12 weeks within a 12-month period.
  • The leave must be completed within 12 months of the birth or placement of the child. An employee is not entitled to intermittent leave or a reduced schedule unless the employer agrees.
  • An employee must give written notice of intent to take FMLA leave to his/her supervisor or manager. The notice should generally be 30 days prior to taking FMLA, if possible. When an employee cannot comply with the notice requirements, he/she should give as much notice as possible.
  • Employees interested in applying for a FMLA leave should submit the Leave of Absence Request Form (with a supervisor or manager’s signature) and additional documentation (if required) to the MGH Leave of Absence Coordinator. After an employee has submitted the request form, the MGH Leave of Absence Coordinator will provide the employee with a memorandum confirming receipt of the notice of the leave and outlining some of the basic employee rights and responsibilities.  Employees on a FMLA leave may be contacted for updates concerning their status and intent to return.

Pay

  • Maternity Leave – During weeks 1-12 faculty will be paid at their base salary.
  • Paternity Leave – Faculty are eligible to be paid accrued vacation and sick leave, consistent with the provisions of the vacation policy and sick leave policy. Vacation time and sick leave continue to accrue for the duration of the leave. Week 1-12 sick time will be used. If sick time is exhausted, vacation time may be used. If both sick and vacation time are exhausted, the leave is without pay.