Benefits: Leave: Parental

University of Minnesota Medical School (UMMS)
Graduate Medical Education

Policy
The resident/fellow (trainee) as defined below must give notice, in writing, of intent to use parental leave and other leaves used in conjunction with parental leave to their program director at least four (4) weeks in advance, except under unusual circumstances.

Please see your Program Manual for specific departmental policies and procedures.

Birth mother:
A birth mother shall be granted, upon request to the program director, up to six weeks parental (maternity) leave for the birth of a child.  The maternity leave shall begin at the time requested by the trainee, although the leave may not begin more than six weeks after the birth.  The leave must be consecutive and without interruption. 

Trainees on maternity leave will receive the first two weeks of their leave as paid parental leave.  This paid parental leave shall not be charged against the trainees’ vacation, sick or PTO allocation.

Note: The first two weeks of this paid parental leave covers the required fourteen day wait period before they may be eligible to receive the short-term disability benefit, see Short Term Disability Policy.

Birth father:
A birth father shall be granted, upon request to the program director, up to two weeks paid parental leave for the birth of a child. The leave must commence no sooner than two weeks prior to the anticipated delivery date and no later than six weeks after the delivery. The leave must be consecutive and without interruption. This paid parental leave shall not be charged against the trainees’ vacation, sick or PTO allocation.

Registered same sex domestic partner:
Registered same sex domestic partner of someone giving birth shall be granted, upon request to the program director, up to two weeks paid parental leave. The leave must commence no sooner than two weeks prior to the anticipated delivery date and no later than six weeks after the delivery. The leave must be consecutive and without interruption.  This paid parental leave shall not be charged against the trainees’ vacation, sick or PTO allocation.

Adoption:
An adoptive parent shall be granted, upon request to the program director, up to two weeks paid parental leave for the adoption of a child.  Trainees who are registered same sex domestic partners of someone adopting a child shall be granted two weeks paid leave.  The leave must commence no sooner than two weeks prior to the anticipated adoption date and no later than six weeks after the adoption. The leave must be consecutive and without interruption.  This paid parental leave shall not be charged against the trainees’ vacation, sick or PTO allocation.

Clarification
Holidays that occur during a leave of absence run concurrent with the leave and are not in addition to the leave.

Trainee’s Next Steps
** Check with your department/program to determine**:

• what type of paperwork needs to be completed;
• if you qualify for Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and how it will be managed;
• how your pay will be impacted;
• how your benefits need to be coordinated; and
• if your leave will extend your training. 

Program Responsibility
Programs are responsible for tracking time off for all leaves to insure that specialty board requirements are met prior to graduation from the program.

Programs must work with their trainees to report all leaves in the Residency Management Suite (RMS) according to instructions received by MMCGME Services.  Programs must also forward documentation to MMCGME Services for leaves that extend the trainee’s time in the program.

See also Residency Management Suite (RMS) Resident Fellow Responsibilities Policy.

Note
Please see the University of Minnesota Institution Manual for additional information regarding:

• Bereavement Leave
• Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
• Holiday Leave
• Witness/Jury Duty Leave
• Medical Leave
• Military Leave
• Personal Leave
• Professional Leave
• Vacation and Sick Leave