Time Off that may be Available to You

  • Full-time Employees:
    • Vacation time
    • May request 100% base salary Caregiver/Parental leave* for up to 4 weeks**
    • Unpaid FMLA or non-FMLA***
  • Part-time Employees:
    • Vacation time
    • Unpaid FMLA or non-FMLA***

*If eligible, FMLA will run concurrently with Caregiver/Parental leave

**If prime appointment at medical school, Caregiver/Parental leave limited to a total of 8 weeks (2 leaves) within a 5-year period and 4 weeks per rolling 12 month period

*** Non-FMLA leave is not job-protected. Requests for unpaid non-FMLA leave will be reviewed on an individual basis with your department

Process to Request Leave

  • Notify manager/supervisor of expected due date and leave request
  • Notify Unum at least 30 days before date leave expected to begin; will need to provide WUSTL’s Policy #: 714055
  • Supply requested information/documentation to Unum within specified timeframes
    • Unum will determine which leaves of absence (e.g., Caregiver/Parental Leave, FMLA, non-FMLA, etc.) you are eligible for
  • For more information on requesting a leave, see Leaves of Absence Helpful Resources

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) and make changes to your flexible spending accounts. Changes to your health/dental/vision coverage and flexible spending account will be effective as of the date of birth.

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

  • Review and consider making changes to your health savings account elections.
  • 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 health savings account beneficiary can be changed by logging onto your Optum Financial account. 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 health savings account, 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.