#  Maternity/Parental Leave 

 



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> ### Maternity/Parental Leave

Benefits-eligible postdoctoral fellows (employee and stipendee postdocs) are eligible for maternity and parental leaves (as detailed below) for birth or adoptive parents. If planning to take Maternity/Parental Leave, talk with your PI and make an appointment with [Sarine Der Kaloustian,](mailto:sarine_derkaloustian@fas.harvard.edu) Associate Director, who will help you complete the FAS [MA Paid Family Medical Leave Form](https://hwpi.harvard.edu/sites/hwpi.harvard.edu/files/postdocs/files/ma_pfml_final_leave_form.docx?m=1678736334) and guide you through the next steps.

#### Maternity Leave

Harvard offers up to 20 weeks of leave in connection to childbirth and recovery for birth mothers. Benefits-eligible postdocs may take eight weeks of paid leave under short-term disability, and 12 weeks of paid parental and bonding leave. Combined, the leaves may look like this:

   ![Maternity and Bonding Leave](/sites/g/files/omnuum6811/files/styles/hwp_1_1__720x720_scale/public/oeb/files/maternity_bonding_leave2.jpg?itok=bfYMJZ-t) 

 

#### Parental/Bonding Leave

Parental/Bonding leave allows for up to 12 weeks of leave for benefits-eligible birth and non-birth parents (birth, adoptive, and foster). The first four weeks are covered under Parental Leave at 100% pay. An additional eight weeks of Bonding Leave is available at 80% pay.

   ![Parental and Bonding Leave](/sites/g/files/omnuum6811/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/oeb/files/parental_bonding_leave.jpg?itok=ts4CLKDE) 

 

Please note that while the [Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)](https://hu.sharepoint.com/sites/hwp-open/hr-policies/Published%20Policies/Forms/AllItems.aspx?id=/sites/hwp-open/hr-policies/Published%20Policies/FMLA.pdf&parent=/sites/hwp-open/hr-policies/Published%20Policies&p=true&ga=1) is only available for postdocs after 12 months of employment, the [Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (MAPFML)](https://hr.harvard.edu/files/humanresources/files/mapfml_summary_nonunion_2021.pdf) does cover postdocs with less than 12 months of employment.

A detailed overview of Maternity and Bonding Leave for employee and stipendee postdocs can be found on page three of the [Benefits Summary for Postdoctoral Fellows](https://hr.harvard.edu/files/humanresources/files/benesummpostdoc_0.pdf). Detailed information on how to apply for these leaves may be found in these policy summaries for [Postdocs](https://hr.harvard.edu/files/humanresources/files/mapfml_summary_nonunion_2021.pdf) and [Research Associates](https://hr.harvard.edu/files/humanresources/files/mapfml_summary_faculty_2021.pdf?m=1607010578).



 



###    FAQs  expand\_more  

 

 Q: During the first four weeks of Parental/Bonding Leave, who funds the postdoc's salary?  
A: The lab/PI

 Q: If the postdoc takes up to 8 additional weeks of Bonding Leave, can the postdoc supplement their salary with vacation time?  
A: Only the lab/PI can supplement the postdoc's salary during this time.

 Q: Who handles Return to Work documentation?  
A: The Return to Work forms should be submitted to the case manager at Lincoln through the [My Lincoln Portal](https://www.mylincolnportal.com/customer/public/login?lang=en). A separate email should also be sent to the PI and to [Sarine Der Kaloustian](mailto:sarine_derkaloustian@fas.harvard.edu), Associate Director.

 Q: Is an extension of time off using an unpaid leave or vacation time possible?  
A: Yes, with approval from PI.

 Q: Under this law, how long may someone take for leave and still have their job protected?  
A: The duration of the [MAPFML](https://hr.harvard.edu/files/humanresources/files/mapfml_summary_nonunion_2021.pdf). If the postdoc goes on leave afterwards, their job may not be protected.