Parental Leave Policy Established
By Staff Council Benefits Committee
& Rodney McClendon, Vice President for Operations
& Michelle Piekutowski, Associate Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
We are very pleased to announce that Carnegie Mellon University has established a Staff Parental and Maternity Leave Program, effective July 1. The new program, developed by the Office of Human Resources, a unit of the Division of Operations, together with Staff Council will help to provide consistent and fair treatment for all full-time staff members adding a child to their family while employed at Carnegie Mellon.
We believe the program aligns with the university’s commitment to foster a diverse, inclusive and equitable environment for all members of the university community.
The new maternity leave program gives birth mothers four consecutive weeks of 100% paid leave to be used immediately following the birth of their child. The paid parental leave program for all parents, including the birth mother, allows for two consecutive weeks of 100% paid leave, which can be used within one year of the birth or adoption of a child, or adding a child via foster care or legal guardianship.
Previously, birth mothers had the option to use PTO, floating holidays or unpaid time off during the first week of their maternity leave. They were then eligible to use their short-term disability benefit at 60% pay for five to seven weeks, depending on the type of delivery. There was no paid parental leave for fathers and partners, or for those who adopted or added a child via foster care or legal guardianship.
Birth mothers are eligible for the new maternity leave benefit on the first of the month following their hire date. Birth parents as well as parents who adopt or add a child via foster care or legal guardianship are eligible for parental leave after completing six months of service at the university.
Additional details, including answers to frequently asked questions, are available online. Our HR Leaves Administration Team is happy to answer any questions. Contact Matt McCabe, Leaves Manager and Amelia Kephart, Leaves Administrator. More information also is available on the Piper website.
We are delighted to introduce this new initiative, which greatly enhances the staff benefit program at CMU.