MySLC

Pregnancy and Childbirth

1. New York State Disability Benefits
   Eligibility: All staff members
   Pregnant employees who are actively employed at the time of the pregnancy will receive disability benefits as defined by New York State Disability Insurance for the period of disability due to pregnancy or childbirth (usually six to eight weeks). During this period employees who work less than 21 hours per week and all employees who have been in service with the College for less than one year will receive New York State Disability benefits only.
2. Payments Supplementing New York State Disability Benefits
   Eligibility: Staff Members who have at least one year of service and work at least 21 hours per week
   An eligible employee who has been with the College for one year or more, and who is actively employed at the time of the pregnancy, will receive full salary during this period of disability and New York State Disability benefits will be reimbursed to the College. Employees who work only 9 or 10 months should consult Human Resources to determine disability benefit payments during the time they are not on payroll.
3. Unpaid FMLA Leave
   Eligibility: All Staff Members
   In accordance with the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, employees may add additional unpaid weeks of leave to the paid disability leave, up to a maximum of 12 weeks of leave immediately following the birth of the child.

Child Care and Adoption

1. Paid Leave
   Eligibility: Staff Members who have at least one year of service, work at least 21 hours per week, and are actively employed at the time of the pregnancy, and are the primary caregiver of the newly born or adopted child
   In the event of the birth of a child or the placement of a child for adoption an eligible employee who completes one year of service in an eligible category, is actively employed at the time of the birth or placement of the child,  and who is the primary caregiver of the dependent child will receive full salary for 6 weeks dated from the birth or placement of the child. If both parents are Sarah Lawrence College employees, and one is the birth parent, that parent shall be deemed the primary caregiver for purposes of the 6 week paid leave. In the case of adoption, if both parents are Sarah Lawrence College employees the aggregate total of the paid leave may not exceed 6 weeks shared between the two parents. Individuals adopting a spouse or partner’s already born child(ren) are not eligible for this paid leave. Only one paid leave per birth or adoption (regardless of the number of children born or adopted at one time) will be granted.
2. Unpaid Leave
   Eligibility: Staff Members who have at least one year of service and work at least 21 hours per week
   1. 12 Weeks of FMLA Leave: Eligible employees may may add additional unpaid weeks of leave to the paid disability leave, up to a maximum of 12 weeks of leave for the birth of a child or the placement of a child for adoption. For the parent who gives birth or who is the primary caregiver, this 12 week leave must include the paid leave described above.
   2. Additional Leave: Staff employees who give birth or who are the primary caregivers may add available accrued vacation time at regular pay to the above disability or paid leave and may take additional unpaid leave immediately after the birth or placement of the child for a maximum of six months of leave. The maximum six month leave must include all of the above paid and unpaid leave.
   3. Unpaid Leave or Vacation time for Non-Primary Caregivers: Non-Primary Caregivers may take four months of unpaid leave, and may add available accrued vacation time at regular pay, for a maximum of six months of leave. When possible, 30 days notice must be given to the department head prior to the leave. During all unpaid pregnancy and child care leaves insurance and tuition benefits will continue on the same basis as if the employee was actively at work, employee contributions must continue to be made in order for benefits coverage to continue. Benefits linked to salary (i.e. retirement plan) will be discontinued during the unpaid leave.

Pregnancy and Childbirth

1. New York State Disability Benefits
   Eligibility: All faculty members
   Pregnant faculty may use disability benefits, as defined by New York State Disability Insurance, for the period of disability due to pregnancy or childbirth (usually six to eight weeks, depending on the type of birth). During this period a regular faculty member who has been in service with the College for less than one year and was actively teaching at the college at the time of the pregnancy, and all guest faculty who are actively employed at the time of the pregnancy will receive a salary equal to the amount awarded by New York State Disability benefits.
2. Payments Supplementing New York State Disability Benefits
   Eligibility: Regular faculty members who teach at least half time with at least one year of service with the College and who are actively teaching during the time of the pregnancy
   A regular faculty member who has been with the College for one year or more, and who were actively teaching during the time of the pregnancy will receive full salary during this period of disability.
3. Unpaid FMLA leave
   Eligibility: All faculty
   In accordance with the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, faculty may add additional unpaid weeks of leave to the paid disability leave, up to a maximum of 12 weeks of leave immediately following the birth of the child.

Child Care and Adoption

1. Paid Leave
   Eligibility: Regular Faculty who teach at least half time, have at least one year of service with the College, are actively teaching at the time of the birth or placement of the child, and are the primary caregiver of the newly born or adopted child
   In the event of the birth of a child or the placement of a child for adoption, a regular faculty member who completes one year of service in an eligible category, is actively teaching at the time of the birth or placement of the child, and who is the primary caregiver of the dependent child will receive half salary for one semester, within one year of the birth or placement of the child. If both parents are Sarah Lawrence College employees, and one is the birth parent, that parent shall be deemed the primary caregiver for purposes of the 6 week paid leave. In the case of adoption, if both parents are Sarah Lawrence College employees the aggregate total of the paid leave may not exceed 6 weeks shared between the two parents. Individuals adopting a spouse or partner’s already born child(ren) are not eligible for this paid leave. Only one paid leave per birth or adoption (regardless of the number of children born or adopted at one time) will be granted.
2. Unpaid Leave
   Eligibility: Regular Faculty who teach at least half time
   1. 12 Weeks of Leave: Faculty members may may take unpaid leave up to a maximum of 12 weeks of leave for the birth of a child or the placement of a child for adoption. For the parent who gives birth or who is the primary caregiver, this 12 week leave must include the paid leave described above. When possible, 30 days notice must be given to the Dean of the College prior to the leave.
   2. Additional Unpaid Leave Regular Faculty members may take additional unpaid leave after the 12 week leave described above as long as the additional leave coincides with the academic calendar. Unpaid leaves may be taken for either a semester or a full year. Requests for additional unpaid leave during a portion of a semester will be considered on an individual basis and can be granted only if arrangements can be made that maintain the integrity of the course(s) the faculty member is teaching. The College will make every effort to grant such requests or, when that is not possible, to reach a reasonable compromise. Requests for additional unpaid leave must be presented, when possible, to the Dean of the College three months prior to the leave period. During unpaid childbirth and childcare leaves all insurance and tuition benefits will continue on the same basis as if the faculty member was actively at work. Employee contributions must continue to be made in order for benefit coverage to continue. Benefits linked to salary (i.e. retirement plan and SRA contributions) will be discontinued during the unpaid leave.

Reduced Teaching Load Option

Eligibility: Regular Faculty who teach at least half time and have at least one year of service with the College

Faculty members may apply to teach a reduced teaching load during the semester or year that begins after the 12 week leave. The College will make every effort to grant requests for a reduced teaching load that coincide with the academic calendar. Other special arrangements may be made on an individual basis only with the permission of the Dean of the College.

Requests for reduced teaching load after the normal 12 week leave must be presented, when possible, to the Dean of the College three months prior to the period of reduced load.

During the reduced teaching schedule all insurance and tuition benefits will continue on the same basis as if the faculty member was on full salary. Employee contributions must continue to be made in order for benefit coverage to continue. Benefits linked to salary (i.e. retirement plan and SRA contributions) will be proportionate to the part-time salary.

Upon completion of the leave or reduced time option, the faculty member will be entitled to return to his/her position held prior to the leave without a loss of service time. All benefits will resume or continue upon the faculty member's return.