Postdoctoral Appointees

Time Off that may be Available to You

  • If birth parent, up to 12 days of paid sick leave
  • FMLA
    • If eligible, up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave
    • Runs concurrently with any paid Parental leave
  • Paid Parental leave of up to 8 weeks
    • Must have completed 12 consecutive months of service or a full academic cycle of their full-time and/or academic-year appointment
    • Limit of 8 weeks of parental leave or 4 weeks of caregiver leave may be taken in a rolling 12-month period
    • Parental leave must be completed within one year of child’s birth or adoption
    • Must be taken in full week increments based on regularly scheduled work week
      • If partial week is needed, sick or vacation time must be used for those days

Process to Request Leave

  • Notify manager/supervisor of expected due date and leave request at least 30 days in advance of the start of leave
  • If Postdoctoral Associate: Notify Unum at least 30 days before date leave expected to begin; will need to provide WUSTL’s Policy #: 714055
  • If Postdoctoral Scholar: contact the WashU leaves team at mytimeoff@wustl.edu to request FMLA and/or Caregiver/Parental leave
  • Supply requested information/documentation within specified timeframes

Considerations after baby is born

You have 62 days from the date of birth to add your newborn to your health/dental/vision coverage (even if you already have family coverage). Changes to your health/dental/vision coverage will be effective as of the date of birth.

In addition to making changes to your health/dental/vision coverage, you should also:

  • Review and consider updating your optional life insurance and AD&D elections (employee, spouse/domestic partner and child). If you elect to increase or enroll in employee and/or spouse/domestic partner life insurance, MetLife may require a Statement of Health (also referred to as evidence of insurability).
  • Review your current life insurance, health savings account and Retirement Savings Plan (403b) beneficiary designations and make any necessary updates. Your life insurance beneficiary can be changed through Workday. Your Retirement Savings Plan beneficiary designation must be updated through your account at TIAA. Note: If you are married, the Retirement Savings Plan requires that your spouse be listed as your primary beneficiary unless this right is waived by your spouse.

You can make changes online through Workday. Please reference the Change Benefit Election tutorial for help. Be sure to add your newborn’s social security number through Workday Employee Self Service once you receive it.

Note: Changes to your optional life insurance (employee, spouse/domestic partner and/or child) and retirement medical savings account coverage may be made at any time.

Helpful Resources

For additional information, contact the WashU Leaves team at mytimeoff@wustl.edu.