Parental leave is time off from work that parents can take for the birth, adoption, or fostering of a child. This time off allows parents to bond with their child, handle necessary responsibilities, and manage the demands of early parenthood. Parental leave may begin as early as two weeks before the expected date of the parental event and must be completed within the first year of the birth, adoption, or placement of the child.
The employee may choose to use any additional paid benefits offered, personal accrued leave, unpaid leave, or a combination of paid and unpaid leave.
To request parental leave, please complete the Extended Leave of Absence Request Form.
UF Leaves Regulation 1.201 guarantees up to six calendar months of parental leave with the first 12 weeks as FMLA-qualifying. The 6-month period is considered as a single, unbroken time span and can consist of a continuous leave, a reduced work schedule, or a combination of both. An employee cannot return to work full-time and then take another break for their parental leave after the approved parental leave ends. Employees may work a reduced schedule during parental leave with departmental approval.
Faculty, TEAMS, and UPD employees may be eligible for the Paid Family Leave Benefit, providing up to 8 weeks of additional hours for use during Parental Leave. More information can be found at the Paid Family Leave page.
OPS employees, including Post-Doctoral Associates, are eligible for up to 12 work weeks of parental leave, once they have worked at least 12 months (need not be consecutive), and also have worked at least 1,250 hours during the 12 months prior to the start of the FMLA leave. Breaks in employment do not affect this total. It is a cumulative total of the number of months the employee has been employed by the University.
Employees may work a reduced schedule during parental leave with departmental approval.
Graduate Assistants may be eligible for the Paid Family Leave Benefit, providing up to 8 weeks of additional hours for use during Parental Leave. More information can be found on the Graduate Assistant Leave of Absence Process website.
Becoming a parent is a Life Event that may qualify you to make changes in your current benefits enrollment.
Enrolling Dependents in Health Coverage must take place within 60 calendar days of the birth date or on the date the adoption is final.
You may choose to start or increase contributions to a Dependent Care Flexible Savings Account (FSA).
Child Care options are available.