Parental and pregnancy leave policy

All full time (more than 50%) faculty who have been employed by U of I continuously for 6 months are eligible for 6 weeks of paid parental leave after the birth of a child or placement for adoption or foster care. 

 

After the 6 weeks of paid parental leave, faculty can use a combination of the following to extend their leaves: 

  • Accumulated sick leave: faculty may use any sick leave they have to extend their paid parental leave for up to 12 weeks. Your department HR person will know how much sick leave you have accumulated. 
  • FMLA unpaid leave: all employees are entitled to 12 weeks of leave. If your parental leave and sick time add up to fewer than 12 weeks, you can take the rest as an unpaid leave. 
  • Modified teaching duties: Faculty are also eligible for up to a semester of modified duties, including being relieved of teaching duties. This is not a leave and you will still be responsible for other aspects of your job. 

 

Pregnancy Leave: Pregnant employees have rights under federal and state laws, including the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Family Medical Leave Act, and Illinois Pregnancy Accommodation Law. This includes the right to seek workplace accommodations and paid leave when your physician advises such.

 

In addition to pregnancy leave, UIC offers expectant mothers in their third trimester of pregnancy more convenient parking spaces on campus. 

 

UICUF recognizes that parental and pregnancy leave policies are fragmented, often unclear, and that their implementation may vary from one unit to another. Union staff and members versed in these policies are prepared to advise you in negotiating your leave and preparing a plan for your eventual re-entry to regular duties. Also, we plan to work on getting a clearer pathway through leave and modified duties as part of our next union contract. 

 

More information here: 

https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/leave/parental 

https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/leave/sick 

https://uofi.app.box.com/v/modifiedteaching 

https://nessie.uihr.uillinois.edu/PDF/policy/rules/pr11r08.pdf

https://oae.uic.edu/resources/gender-inclusive-resources/expectant-mothers/