What is Parenting Leave?
Paid parenting leave is provided to eligible full-time employees for the purpose of
recovery from the birth of a child and/or for activities related to the care and well-being
of their newborn or adopted child under five years of age and is to be used within
the first six months following the birth or adoption. This leave does not reduce an
eligible employee’s accrued balance of any other paid leave such as sick, personal
or vacation leave. If applicable, this leave shall run concurrently with Family and
Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave, and, in cases where an employee is eligible for FMLA
leave, the period the employee is placed on paid parenting leave will count toward
the 12 weeks of FMLA leave.
Who is eligible for parenting leave?
A full-time employee who has been employed by the College for at least one continuous
year based on his or her category in a regular position is eligible for paid parenting
leave. Please note that part-time employees and employees in temporary or grant positions
are not eligible.
A continuous year is defined as any rolling 12-month period measured backward from
the start date of the parenting leave.
An eligible parent is defined as a birth mother, a birth father, a domestic partner
or spouse of the birth mother, a domestic partner or spouse of the birth father, an
adoptive mother or father or a domestic partner or spouse of an adoptive mother or
father. An individual who adopts a spouse or partner’s current child(ren) is not eligible
for this benefit.
How much paid parenting leave is offered to an eligible Valencia College employee?
Within a rolling 12-month period, an eligible employee may receive up to a maximum
of 30 continuous business days of paid parenting leave to be taken within the first
six months following the birth or adoption of a child or event; multiple births (e.g.
twins) and simultaneous adoptions are considered one “event.”
How do I apply for paid parenting leave and what supporting documentation do I need
to submit?
For information on how to apply for paid parenting leave and required supporting documentation,
see
College Policy: Parenting Leave (3D-06.1.1) policy, Procedure II
I am an employee giving birth, how do FMLA and Paid Parenting Leave work together?
From your baby’s birth date and while under doctor’s care, you can use applicable
accrued paid sick leave, sick leave pool (as applicable) and parenting leave. You
choose the order of available leave. Once you are released by your doctor or you deplete
your available sick leave, sick leave pool and parenting leave, you may use personal
leave and vacation leave as specified in your application. You must use all available
paid leave as appropriate prior to using unpaid leave. Please contact Organizational
Development and Human Resources at HR4U@valenciacollege.edu or 407-582-5000, extension HR4U (4748) to discuss your specific circumstances and
how leave may be applied during your absence so you can make an informed decision
on how you would like to choose your order of available leave.
How does paid parenting leave work if I have multiple births?
If you are an eligible employee, you can receive up to a maximum of 30 continuous
business days of paid parenting leave to be taken within the first six months following
the birth of your children. Please note that multiple births (e.g. twins) are considered
one “event.”
How does paid parenting leave work if I adopt twins or two siblings at the same time?
Adopting twins or two siblings at the same time is considered one “event,” and you
can receive up to a maximum of 30 continuous business days of paid parenting leave
to be taken within the first six months following the adoption of a child. Paid parenting
leave may begin immediately prior to an adoption with proper documentation and if
deemed by the College to be necessary to fulfill legal requirements with respect to
the adoption. Please contact Organizational Development and Human Resources at HR4U@valenciacollege.edu or 407-582-5000, extension HR4U (4748) to discuss your circumstances.
How often can I take paid parenting leave?
You may use paid parenting leave for one event in a rolling 12-month period. The first
day of paid parenting leave shall establish a 12-month period; a new paid parenting
leave period shall not begin until the previous 12-month period has expired.
Can I take paid parenting leave on an intermittent basis?
No; paid parenting leave may not be used intermittently and shall be taken in one
continuous period of leave. You may take up to 30 continuous business days of paid
parenting leave. In order to use the full paid benefit, you will need to begin your
paid parenting leave at least 30 business days prior to the end of the six-month period
following a birth or adoption. Any unused paid parenting leave shall be forfeited
and considered non-cumulative, non-compensable and non-transferable. Please contact
Organizational Development and Human Resources at HR4U@valenciacollege.edu or 407-582-5000, extension HR4U (4748) to discuss your circumstances.
If I only want to use three weeks of paid parenting leave, can I save the remaining
balance for next year?
No; upon your return to work following paid parenting leave, any unused paid parenting
leave shall be forfeited and considered non-cumulative, non-compensable and non-transferable.
What happens if an official College holiday occurs during paid parenting leave?
You will receive holiday pay in lieu of paid parenting leave, provided you are in
a paid leave status the full workday before and the full workday after the official
College observed holiday(s) or paid non-duty day(s) in accordance with College Policy 6Hx28: 3C-01 Total Rewards: Compensation and Hours of Work for Employees
of the College.
Will I continue to accrue vacation and sick leave while out on paid parenting leave?
Yes; while on paid parenting leave you will continue to accrue vacation and sick leave
in accordance with College Policy 6Hx28: 3D-03 Total Rewards: Vacation, Sick and Personal Leave for Full
Time Employees.
How does paid parenting leave work if both parents work for Valencia College?
If both parents are eligible employees, the combined total of their paid parenting
leave may not exceed 45 continuous business days. The parents may elect to combine
the total of their paid parenting leave and allocate the total between them, provided
that the maximum any eligible employee may receive is no more than 30 continuous business
days. The parents may allocate the amount of days in the manner that best suits their
needs, but they must give the College advance notice of the allocation they choose
through the application form submission. Once leave has started for the birth or adoption
of the child, the allocation of days may not be changed.
If I’m marrying someone and I am adopting my new spouse’s children, am I eligible
for Paid Parenting Leave?
No; you are not eligible for this benefit if you are adopting your spouse’s or partner’s
current child(ren).
How does paid parenting leave work if I give birth and also adopt in the same year?
You may use paid parenting leave for one event in a rolling 12-month period. The first
day of paid parenting leave shall establish a 12-month period; a new paid parenting
leave period shall not begin until the previous 12-month period has expired.
Does this policy apply to foster children?
No; the benefit only covers birth or adoption.
What happens if I decide not to return to work after my paid parenting leave?
Paid parenting leave is awarded with the express provision that you are expected to
continue in full time service at the College for at least six full months after completion
of the paid parenting leave. If you decide not to return to work after your paid parenting
leave, you may be liable to reimburse the College the gross salary paid to you during
the term of the paid parenting leave.
I am planning on requesting leave for the birth of my child using only my available
accrued paid leave. Am I obligated to use paid parenting leave?
No; you can opt to decline the use of paid parenting leave. Your choice may not be
changed once your leave has started for the purpose of recovery from the birth of
a child and/or for activities related to the care and well-being of their newborn
or adopted child under 5 years of age.
What if I need additional time off beyond paid parenting leave?
Please contact Organizational Development and Human Resources at HR4U@valenciacollege.edu or 407-582-5000, extension HR4U (4748) to discuss your circumstances and obtain information
on any relevant documentation needed to support your leave request beyond paid parenting
leave.
What if I have a question that is not covered in this document?
Please contact Organizational Development and Human Resources at HR4U@valenciacollege.edu or 407-582-5000, extension HR4U (4748) to discuss your circumstances.