UAMS plans to implement the Paid Parental Leave Policy by September 1, 2024. Stay tuned for updates and instructions as we finalize the application/screening process for our campus.
| How do I apply for paid parental leave? A service now form is in development. Workers will be provided with the applicable link to complete the application for paid parental leave when it becomes available. In the interim, please ensure you have applied for FMLA via FMLASource. Learn more about how to apply for FMLA here. |
| How do I get paid parental leave hours added to my leave bank? When a worker is approved for paid parental leave time, the leave administration will populate the worker’s Workday leave bank (parental leave) with the approved number of hours. A worker is eligible for up to 240 hours per event, but this rate may be prorated according to the worker’s FTE or shared with an eligible legal spouse. |
| How many paid parental leave hours/weeks do I get? Eligible workers may be awarded up to 240 hours of paid parental leave. The hours are based on the worker’s FTE at the time of delivery. |
| How do I qualify for paid parental leave? In order to qualify for up to 240 hours of paid parental leave, a worker must: Be eligible for FMLA leave of absence, been employed by UAMS or the University of Arkansas system in a benefit eligible position on a continuous basis for at least 24 months, and be the birth parent, legal spouse of the birth parent, an adoptive parent, or a foster parent. In determining 24 months of consecutive employment, a break in service of 31 calendar days or less will not be counted against eligibility. As example, an employee transferring between UAS campuses with a break in service of three weeks may still qualify for Parental Leave. |
| Do me and my legal spouse each get paid parental leave for the birth of our child? No, when a worker and their legal spouse are both eligible for paid parental leave, they split the max benefit. The hours may be split at their discretion but in the absence of an agreed division, the hours will be split equally. |
| Does paid parental leave pay 100% of my salary? Yes, paid parental leave will pay the eligible worker their base pay for the approved period. |
| Can I use Short-Term Disability with paid parental leave? Not in most cases, a worker must exhaust all paid parental leave before utilizing short-term disability. In most cases, a worker will not be “disabled” beyond their 6 week recovery period. In some scenarios, the birth mother may need additional recovery time after paid parental leave. In that case, the mother may qualify for disability benefits. STD is only available to the partner giving birth. |
| How soon will I be paid for my paid parental leave? Workers will be paid for parental leave hours that are entered during the regular pay period for their pay cycle. |
| Is there a benefit waiting period for paid parental leave? No, you are eligible to use the hours in a continuous block effective on or after the birth date of your child. The hours must be used within 12 months post-delivery. |
| When will my approved parental leave hours be added to my leave bank? The leave administration team will validate the paid parental leave questionnaire responses and alert you and your manager when a determination has been made and hours have been added to your leave bank. The expected turnaround will improve as we streamline our processes, but we anticipate the review to take between 5-10 business days. |
| How are the paid parental leave hours split between two employees of the U of A system? The hours may be split at their discretion but in the absence of an agreed division, the hours will be split equally. |
| When can I start using my paid parental leave? The first day of paid parental leave should not be logged before the child is born. The hours should be used in a continuous timeframe and are not to be used intermittently. The worker may use the hours in a continuous timeframe within the first 12 months of the child’s birth date. |
| Can I use paid parental leave in the event of a miscarriage, still birth, or neonatal death? Paid Parental Leave is not available in the loss of a child of any form including termination of pregnancy, miscarriage, stillbirth, stillborn baby, or neonatal death. |
| Do I need to notify HR when my child is born? Please discuss your leave use preferences before you leave for maternity leave and notify your manager to ensure that your continuous time off is entered as agreed. You only need to notify HR (within 30 days) if you’d like the newborn to be added to your health insurance. |