Having a Baby

You are having a baby. What do you do now?

In order to take leave time for the birth of your baby, you must apply for FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act). FMLA is a federal law that protects you, the employee, while you are recovering from the birth of your baby. FMLA protects your job and provides that your Health Insurance Benefits remain in force while you are out of on FMLA leave (Provided you continue to pay your portion of your health insurance premium.) In order to qualify for FMLA coverage, you will need to have worked for the District for at least one year and have worked 1250 hours in the previous 12 months. Should you qualify, FMLA allows you to take up to 12 workweeks of leave to care and bond with your baby.

You will need the following forms to apply for FMLA for the birth of your baby.

 

Notice of your leave should be given 30 days in advance of your baby’s due date. In order to give notice, simply complete the Request for Family Medical Leave.  Please list your due date on the form where it asks for a start date of your leave.  The Request for Family Medical Leave forms can be faxed to 801-567-8056, hand delivered, or sent interoffice mail to the Human Resources Department- Benefits. 

An initial determination will be made on approval or denial of FMLA coverage.  A letter will be sent to both you and your school with additional instructions if you are denied. The beginning date of your leave will be adjusted based upon the Medical Certification received from your Doctor.  If your Doctor recommends bed rest prior to your due date, please call for additional instructions.

After delivering your baby, have your doctor complete the Medical Certification Form.  Please ask your doctor to be sure and include the date your baby was born.  You will have 15 days (from the actual birth of your baby) to return this completed form to the Human Resources Department (regardless if you were approved or denied for FMLA).  

When it is time for you to return to work (usually at 6 weeks), ask your doctor to complete the Notice of Intent To Return From Medical Leave form releasing you back to work. This form must be received in the Human Resources Department prior to your return to work date.

FMLA leave is not a paid leave. However, you may use your accrued leave days to be paid for a portion of your recovery time. Sick leave is only available for use for the time it is medically justified for you to be off work (Usually 6 wks from the birth of your baby).  Any time beyond the medical justification/recover time, will be in a non-paid (unpaid) status (up to a maximum of 12 workweeks, if you were approved for FMLA coverage).   Any unpaid days will be deducted from contracted pay. To determine the amount of leave days you have available, contact the Human Resources Department at 801-567-8249.

If you do not have enough leave days to cover the portion of your leave that is medically justified (usually 6 wks), you may qualify for the Employee-Funded Sick Leave Bank. Please review the correct policy for the Licensed or Classified. If you determine that Employee-Funded Sick Leave Bank is a good option, you can request these benefits by completing the Request for Employee-Funded Sick Leave Bank Form for Licensed or Classified employees. 

If you do not have enough leave days and you did not qualify for FMLA, you may consider taking a Leave of Absence. You may choose to take a Personal Leave of Absence (allowing up to 15 days unpaid in a three year period.)  Below you will find a link to each of the policies related to Leave of Absence, please review each policy that applies to you:

 

In addition, if you do not plan to return to work after your leave, please be sure to review either the Licensed, or Classified Resignation, and FMLA policies, as they may have an effect on your final check.  First year employees have very limited leave benefits and should contact Human Resources to have your options explained in more detail.

Should you have any additional questions or concerns regarding your leave, please contact Human Resources-Benefits at 801-567-8249.