Paid Parenting Leave
The university offers paid parenting leave to eligible employees following the birth, adoption or foster placement of a child. Paid parenting leave is a type of Family and Medical Leave (FML). Please see FSH 3710 for complete leave policies.
- Full-time employees may take up to 432 hours of paid parenting leave. Eligible employees working less than full-time will receive a pro-rated portion of paid parenting leave corresponding to the percentage of hours they normally work. For example, a half-time employee can take up to 216 hours of paid parenting leave (one half of the maximum).
- If both parents are university employees and eligible for FML, paid parenting leave may be shared between the parents and may not exceed 480 hours (12 weeks) of total leave.
- Paid parenting leave must be used continuously within the first 12 weeks immediately following the birth, adoption or foster placement of a child. Employees may not use paid parenting leave intermittently.
Eligibility
Employees are eligible for paid parenting leave if they:
- Hold a board-appointed position and work half-time or more.
- Have been employed by the university for at least 12 months.
- Have worked at least 1250 hours during the 12-month period immediately before they take paid parenting leave.
Please note: an employee may not receive more than 12 weeks of parenting leave in a rolling 12-month period. Multiple births, adoptions or foster placements within that time do not increase the length of parenting leave. Parenting leave counts towards the allowance of FML in a rolling 12-month period.
How to Apply
To apply for parenting leave, please fill out the application for Family Medical Leave or contact benefits@uidaho.edu at least 30 days before the start of leave.
Compensation
Employees will receive the full amount of their usual compensation while on approved parenting leave.
Parenting leave will be paid on regularly scheduled pay dates. If a holiday occurs during parenting leave, that day will be considered holiday pay and will not count towards the employee’s parenting leave allowance or FML hours.