WUSM Faculty Parental Leave

Time Off that may be Available to You

FMLA

  • If eligible, up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave
  • Runs concurrently with any paid Salary Continuation or Parental leave
  • Notify Department Chair and then contact WashU’s leave team to request FMLA

Salary Continuation—Full- or Part-Time Benefits Eligible Faculty

  • Birth parent may request time off in advance to cover the birth and any medical conditions related to the birth
  • A physician’s statement may be required to approve requests for time off prior to delivery or for absences extending beyond eight weeks following delivery
  • Provide written request to Department Chair or designee
  • Salary continuation may not be granted more than twice within a period of 60 months unless extenuating circumstances exist and the Department Chair approves an additional leave

Parental Leave—Full-time Faculty Only

  • Paid Parental leave for up to three months reduced by any period of Salary Continuation
  • Alternatively, may request a reduction in academic workload at full pay for up to three months
  • Provide written request to Department Chair or designee
  • Notify WashU’s leave team
  • Must commence Parental leave within two months following the child’s birth or adoption

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.