Yale Paid Parental Leave Policy for Postdoctoral Appointees
Postdoctoral appointees who become parents—either through the birth of a child or the adoption of a child under the age of six—during the term of their appointment may be eligible for up to eight weeks of paid parental leave. This benefit is available unless explicitly restricted by the terms of the appointee’s external funding source.
To qualify, the appointee must assume significant and sustained caregiving responsibilities, serving as the child’s caregiver for at least half of normal working hours throughout the leave period.
Key details include:
- Eligibility: Applies to postdocs who are primary caregivers of a newborn or newly adopted child under six years old.
- Duration: Up to eight weeks of paid leave.
- Timing: Leave may be taken at any point within one year of the child’s birth or adoption.
- Dual Postdoc Parents: If both parents are postdoctoral appointees, each is eligible for the full leave period. They may also take their leave simultaneously.
- Funding: The original funding source for the appointee’s compensation will continue to cover salary during the leave.
- Appointment Status: Parental leave is co-terminous with the postdoctoral appointment and may not extend beyond the appointment’s end date if it is not renewed.
This policy reflects our commitment to supporting postdoctoral scholars in balancing their professional and family responsibilities.
Connecticut State and Federal Family and Medical Leave Acts
Postgraduate and postdoctoral appointees at Yale may be eligible for both paid and unpaid leave under federal and state family and medical leave acts (both commonly referred to as FMLA) and State Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML). These policies are designed to support appointees during times of personal or family medical need.
Eligibility and Leave Options
FMLA Leave
Under FMLA, eligible appointees may take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave in a 12-month period for:
- Their own serious health condition
- Caring for a seriously ill spouse, parent (including natural, foster, adoptive, stepparent, or legal guardian), parent of the appointee’s spouse, or child (under 18 or incapable of self-care due to a serious illness)
Medical certification from a healthcare provider may be required.
Paid Leave through CT PFML
As of January 1, 2022, eligible appointees may take up to 12 weeks of paid leave through the Connecticut Paid Leave (CT PFML) program for qualified family and medical reasons.
To apply:
- Submit a claim through the CT PFML program
- Send the Employer Verification Form to employee.services@yale.edu
If an appointee is not eligible for paid leave through the state, the original funding source for their compensation will continue to cover up to eight weeks of paid parental leave, if applicable.
Important Notes
- Leaves taken under Yale’s paid parental leave and CT PFML count toward the time allowed under federal and State of Connecticut FMLA (CT FMLA).
- During unpaid FMLA leave, Yale will continue to pay its share of health and noncontributory insurance premiums.
- Appointees with payroll deductions must coordinate with the Benefits Office to maintain coverage.
- For more details, refer to Yale’s FMLA absence pay administration guidelines.
Fellows and External Funding
If an appointee’s external funding source includes specific leave provisions, those terms will take precedence. In such cases, the leave request may also need to be submitted to the funding agency.
Process and Forms
- State and Federal Family and Medical Leave Acts have different eligibility requirements. Appointees should visit the links above to determine which leaves apply in their particular case.
- Leave of Absence forms are on the Forms, Documents, & Templates page. Appointees must inform their faculty mentor of planned leave and work with their administrator to submit the form to postdoc.affairs@yale.edu.
- Leaves Process and FAQs for appointees and administrators.