What is Parental Leave?
Parental leave is a benefit specifically for employees who are not eligible for FMLA and are requesting time off for the birth of a child or for the placement of a foster/adoptive child under the age of three. Parental leave provides eligible employees up to 12 work weeks of unpaid leave* beginning with the natural child’s date of birth or the adoption/foster placement date. Employees are entitled to return to their same or an equivalent job at the end of their parental leave.
*UTRGV requires employees to use their existing paid leave balances concurrently with parental leave. An employee may not be placed on unpaid leave unless all applicable paid leave balances have been exhausted.
Responsibilities under Parental Leave
Employee Responsibilities
- Notify the Office of Human Resources 30 days in advance of the need to take parental leave;
- Notify your manager of the need for parental leave (do not share medical information);
- Submit the required forms to the Office of Human Resources;
- Maintain appropriate contact with your manager and Office of Human Resources regarding your return-to-work status.
An employee's failure to provide information in a timely manner may result in the delay or denial of parental leave.
Please do not share medical information with anyone outside of the Office of Human Resources. Medical information is confidential and should be maintained solely between the employee and the Office of Human Resources.
Parental Leave Process
Application
- Office of Human Resources is notified of a potential parental leave situation by the employee, manager, or HR liaison. Direct notifications to leave@utrgv.edu.
- Office of Human Resources sends an email to the employee with general parental leave info containing parental leave forms.
- Employee submits completed application form to Office of Human Resources.
- Employee submits certification form to treating health care professional for completion or provides Office of Human Resources with legal documentation to support the adoption/foster placement.
- A health care professional or employee submits a completed certification form to the Office of Human Resources.
- Office of Human Resources reviews the completed application and certification and determines whether to approve the parental leave requests.
- Office of Human Resources notifies the employee and manager of the parental leave request outcome.
Post-Approval
- Employee notifies manager of absence using regular leave request process and indicating sick leave as the leave type.
- An employee stays in contact with the manager and Office of Human Resources during extended absences.
- If required by the Office of Human Resources, the employee submits Return to Work Release form to the treating health care professional for completion.
- Health care professional submits completed Return to Work Release form to Office of Human Resources.
- Office of Human Resources notifies employee and manager of approved return to work date along with any work restrictions.
Need help?
Contact the Office of Human Resources
Leave
Phone: (E) 956-665-2451
Phone: (B) 956-882-8205
Email: leave@utrgv.edu