Parental Leave for Qualified Employees
I. Policy Title: Parental Leave for Qualified Employees
II. Who does this policy affect?
All qualified College employees.
III. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to enable qualified employees to care for and bond with a newborn or a newly adopted or newly placed child. This policy runs concurrently with FMLA and/or any other state, federal or College leave programs. This policy does not supersede the provisions of any Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Faculty and staff covered by a CBA should consult their contract regarding the specific Parental Leave eligibility and benefits.
IV. Policy Statement
To assist and support new parents with balancing work and family commitments, Henry Ford College provides Paid Parental Leave to benefit eligible employees. Paid Parental Leave is a period of paid time off for activities related to the care and well-being of an employee’s newborn or a child for whom an employee becomes legally responsible by adoption, foster care, or legal guardianship.
1. Program Eligibility
A benefit eligible HFC employee who has at least one (1) year of either continuous full-time service, or one (1) year of continuous part-time service greater than twenty (20) hours per week, at the College is eligible for paid Parental Leave as set forth below. Parental Leave will be paid at the employee's regular rate of pay, based on their profile hours, without reduction in leave banks.
2. Parental Leave
a) Parental Leave shall be available to a legally recognized biological, adoptive, step, or foster parent, or the spouse of such person. Where both parents are employees, both shall be eligible for Parental Leave.
b) Parental Leave shall run concurrently with FMLA leave and/or any other state or federal leave entitlement.
c) An eligible employee who gives live birth, or who is the spouse of someone who gives live birth, shall be eligible for up to twelve (12) weeks of Parental Leave beginning on the date of delivery. Approved Leave must be taken continuously immediately following the birth of the child. An employee who is placed on FMLA leave and/or other state or federal leave related to their pregnancy prior to giving birth may begin their twelve (12) weeks Parental Leave before birth, concurrently with such other leave.
d) An eligible employee who adopts an infant twelve (12) months of age or younger shall be eligible for up to twelve (12) weeks of continuous Parental Leave beginning on the date of placement.
e) An eligible employee not covered under sections IV.2.c or IV.2.d above who becomes legally responsible for a child under the age of sixteen (16) years by adoption, foster care, or legal guardianship is eligible for up to six (6) weeks of Parental Leave, from the date of placement. Approved Leave must be continuous and used within 12 months of the child's placement.
f) Approved Parental Leave must be taken continuously, and an employee may take only one (1) Parental Leave, during a rolling 12-month period. An eligible employee may use only one (1) Parental Leave period for a birth, adoption, or placement event regardless of the number of children born, adopted, or placed.
3. Procedures for Requesting Leaves
A request for Parental Leave shall be submitted in writing to the Office of Human Resources at least thirty (30) days prior to the date on which the leave is expected to begin (e.g., due date, planned adoption placement, etc.) unless circumstances preclude opportunity for such notice. The request shall include the desired duration of the Parental Leave. Upon receipt of the request, Human Resources may require additional documentation. Failure to produce the requested documentation may result in denial of the Parental Leave request.
4. Limitations and Exclusions
a) Parental Leave is intended to allow for bonding time following the arrival or placement of a newly born, adopted, step, or fostered child. Therefore, Parental Leave is not available for an employee acting as a surrogate, or their spouse.
b) An employee on paid Parental Leave shall continue to accrue Sick Leave during the period of their Parental Leave as though the time were actually worked. An employee on paid Parental Leave shall not accrue vacation during the period of their Parental Leave.
c) A staff member returning from a parental leave may be required to provide a physician’s statement releasing the staff member to work, and noting restrictions, if any.
d) Failure to report for assignment at the conclusion of these leaves without requesting or receiving an unpaid medical or unpaid medical/childcare leave will be considered a resignation.
e) There is no payout upon return from leave or departure from the College on unused ppaid parental leave.
V. Definitions
a. Parent: Faculty or staff member who is legally responsible for the child: including birth mother, father, non-birth parent, adoptive and foster parent, and legal guardian.
b. Event: The arrival or placement of a newly born, adopted or fostered child, or child for whom legal guardianship has been appointed, the number of children birthed, adopted, or fostered at the same time is considered one event.
c. Legal Guardianship: Court appointed responsibility for the care and custody of a minor child.
VI. Responsible Party for Policy Interpretation/Review
Vice President of Human Resources
Executive Director of Human Resources
Assistant Directors of Human Resources
Benefits Manager
VII. Related Documents
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq https://www.ada.gov/
Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) https://www.eeoc.gov/laws/statutes/adaaa_info.cfm
Family Medical and Leave Act (FMLA) Policy https://policies.hfcc.edu/policy/family
Family Medical Leave Act https://www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/index.htm
Equal Education and Employment Opportunities and Non-Discrimination Policy https://policies.hfcc.edu/policy/equal
Non-Retaliation Policy https://policies.hfcc.edu/policy/non
VIII. Policy History:
a. Adopted by Board: November 25, 2024
This policy supersedes and replaces any and all past policies related to this subject