Basic Parental Leave Policy
Basic Parental Leave Policy to enable company employees who are new parents to spend time with their newborn or newly-adopted children. The Company recognizes the physical, emotional and psychological demands of both childbirth and adoption, and considers that a period of leave is important for the well being of both the parent and the child. Each state has their own guidelines for parental leave that this policy must comply with.
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Parental Leave Policy
____________ (“Company”) has implemented this parental leave policy as of ________ (“Commencement Date”) to enable Company employees who are new parents to spend time with their newborn or newly-adopted children. The Company recognizes the physical, emotional and psychological demands of both childbirth and adoption, and considers that a period of leave is important for the well being of both the parent and the child.
I. Eligibility
Any employee in good standing, who gives birth or adopts a child, and who has been employed by Company on a full-time or part-time basis for at least ________ consecutive months prior to the date on which a leave period is to begin, is eligible for the benefits under this leave policy. Employees who are spouses of persons giving birth or adopting a child, and who have similarly been employed full-time or part-time for at least 12 consecutive months, are considered eligible for parental leave benefits under this policy, regardless of family status or gender. Employees in good standing on the date this policy is adopted shall automatically be eligible for the benefits under this leave policy.
II. Leave Provisions
Parental leave is available to all eligible employees (as defined above) during the first six (6) months following birth or adoption.
A. Paid Parental Leave
Paid parental leave is available to both men and women in the Company, including employees in common-law relationships, regardless of whether those relationships are with persons of the opposite or of the same sex.
The Company will provide paid parental leave for ________ weeks, i.e., 100% of an eligible employee's regular pay during this period, following such employee’s birth or adoption of a child or children. The fact that a multiple birth or adoption occurs (for example, the birth or adoption of twins) does not increase the length of paid parental leave granted for that event.
Paid parental leave is a benefit of employment and its use will not be considered as a negative factor in employment actions, such as hiring, promotions, and disciplinary actions, or under attendance policies.
B. Unpaid Parental Leave
After the ________ weeks of paid parental leave have been exhausted, a female employee who has given birth may take an additional ________ weeks of unpaid leave. All other new-parent employees may take an additional ________ weeks of unpaid leave. In special circumstances, further extensions of the leave or other requests for leave in response to unanticipated family needs will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
Any pregnant employee who is not eligible for benefits under this parental leave policy is entitled to an unpaid maternity leave of absence for ________ weeks.
C. Pregnancy-Related Illness
In the event of pregnancy-related illness before or after the parental leave period, benefits are available under the disability and sick leave provisions of the Company’s disability benefit plan and are not intended to be covered by this policy.
III. Benefits
Health insurance benefits will continue to be provided during the paid parental leave under this policy at the same rate as in effect before the leave was taken, provided the employee qualifies for benefits under Section I (Eligibility) of this leave policy. For parental leaves (paid or unpaid) extending beyond ________, no benefits will be paid by the Company, but the employee may opt to keep up the payment of those benefits.
IV. Procedures
A. Approval
Any employee who wishes to take a leave must notify the head of Human Resources in writing at least ________ weeks prior to the anticipated date the leave will begin. Where a medical condition makes it impossible to comply with this notice period, or the date of the adopted child’s placement was not foreseeable, the employee should give written notice at the earliest possible date. In either case the notice period should provide the expected starting and ending dates of the leave required and should be directed to the head of Human Resources.
B. Reinstatement
An eligible employee will be reinstated to the same position he or she held when paid parental leave began or to an equivalent position with equivalent pay, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment, provided the eligible employee can perform the essential functions of the position.
V. Conclusion
This policy will be reviewed from time to time and may be modified as the Company continues to grow and change. Changes that reduce the benefits available under this policy will come into effect on ________ months’ notice to all employees and will apply only to leaves commencing after the expiration of the notice period.
Please direct all questions regarding the Company’s policy to ________
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