Maternity Leave

Female faculty members are covered by the University's maternity leave policy applicable to professional and salaried staff. That policy states in pertinent part:

The University of Delaware recognizes the importance of having a maternity leave policy which helps employees balance the responsibilities of work and parenthood. The University's policy encourages employees to develop a dialogue with their immediate supervisors so that their career paths can be maintained while assuming the added responsibilities of parenthood.

It is the policy of the University to comply with the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, which grants an eligible employee up to a total of 12 workweeks of leave in any 12-month period for certain circumstances. The following policy sets forth the options that are available to University employees. An eligible employee is entitled to up to a total of 12 workweeks of maternity leave during a 12-month period for the birth or placement of a child for adoption or foster care. This maternity leave will count against the employee's total family and medical leave entitlement of 12 weeks in any 12-month period. The provisions of the University policy regarding family leave are also applicable to maternity leave, and are incorporated herein by reference.

  1. Employees may use accrued sick leave if they are physically unable to work due to pregnancy, childbirth, miscarriage, abortion, or other related medical conditions. Sick leave benefits may also be used according to the appropriate extended sick leave policy in the event complications or other extenuating circumstances require extended absence from work. The University reserves the right to require a doctor's certification at any time for the use of sick leave.
  2. If possible, employees requesting sick leave for reasons associated with childbirth must notify their supervisor three months prior to the anticipated date of the leave. Employees are encouraged to follow professional advice concerning the length of time worked during pregnancy and the appropriate time to resume work after childbirth or related medical conditions.
Beyond the 12 weeks of maternity leave in a 12-month period provided for by the Family and Medical Leave Act and the University maternity leave policy, a faculty member may be entitled to additional leave for the birth of a child or the placement of a child in adoption or foster care, up to one year for each child, as provided for below in the policy regarding family leave.

(Rev. 11/93, Office of Employee Relations; approved, Faculty Senate)


March 23, 1995