Pregnancy Leave
If an employee reports that she is pregnant, please direct her to contact the Leaves Office to receive important information regarding pregnancy leave. FMLA and Disability packets will be provided to the employee and the employee’s options for leave will be discussed.
If you are pregnant, you are eligible for Pregnancy Disabilty Leave (PDL). You are entitled to up to four months of disability leave related to pregnancy or childbirth. PDL is unpaid, however, you may be able to use your accrued sick, vacation, or disability benefits.
Note: You may be entitled to additional leave for parental bonding if you meet the eligibility requirements.
|
|
Leave for Your Own Health Condition
Employees who are away from work for more than three days, or their supervisors, should contact leaves@ucmerced.edu to receive guidance on their leave options. If eligible for FMLA, employees who need a leave for their own serious health condition have 12 weeks of job-protected leave through FMLA and/or CFRA.
This might be available in a block period or intermittently depending on what is needed. All medical leaves require a medical certification to qualify the dates the employee needs to be out for their serious health condition that renders them unable to perform the essential functions of their job.
|
|
Furlough
While on furlough, you must take action in order to continue or cancel your University benefits. Your benefits deductions are normally taken out of your paychecks, but while you are on a furlough, your benefits can only continue if you arrange in advance to pay your benefits via personal check through the Campus Cashier or electronically via IntelForms. All employees going on a furlough must complete a Benefits Continuation Election Form prior to the beginning of the furlough. Furloughing employees will receive the form and instructions in advance of the furlough.
See the Furlough section of UC Net for more information about furlough leaves.
|
|
Parental Bonding Leave
An employee whose partner is expecting a baby or an employee who is adopting a child may be eligible for FMLA leave for bonding and newborn care purposes within 12 months of the birth or placement of the child.
Parental bonding leave can also be used to bond with an adopted child or foster child or to take care of responsibilities related to the birth, adoption, or placement of your new child. Please contact the Leaves Office to receive important information about options for taking leave.
|
|
Leave to Care for a Family Member
If you need time off to care for a loved one, you may be eligible for job protected leave. "Family member" is defined as a spouse, domestic partner, child, parent, parent-in-law, grandparent, sibling, or designated person who has a serious health condition.
This leave can be used as block or intermittently based on the recommendation of the family members doctor in the medical certification paperwork provided from the leaves department. However, PFCB can only be used in block leaves of 5 days or more.
|
|
Military Leave
Military leave is granted for university employees who need time away from work to perform certain military services. Advance verbal or written notice of a need to take military leave is required when possible. The employee is entitled to receive regular university pay for the first 30 days of this leave in any one fiscal year as long as they have been with the UC for a year.
Please review your Collective Bargaining Contract or PPSM 2.210 Absence From Work Policy for non-represented employees for more information on Military leave as well as Qualifying Extengency Leave or Military Spouse\Domestic Partner Leave.
|
|
Reproductive Loss Leave
As of Jan. 1, 2024, UC’s leave options expanded to provide eligible employees with up to five days of protected leave following a reproductive loss. This change aligns with new California legislation.
An employee may take up to five days of Reproductive Loss Leave following a reproductive loss by the employee, by the employee’s current spouse or domestic partner, or by another individual if the employee would have been a parent of a child had the reproductive loss not occurred. “Reproductive loss” means a failed adoption, failed surrogacy, miscarriage, stillbirth, or an unsuccessful assisted reproduction.
If you need to request this type of leave, please reach out to leaves@ucmerced.edu and our analysts will provide you with guidance.
Visit UCnet for FAQs and more information on this leave option.
As part of the University of California's ongoing commitment to supporting work-life balance for staff and academic personnel, we are excited to announce a significant expansion of paid sick leave, effective January 1, 2025. This expansion will offer greater security and peace of mind for UC’s valued employees, whether full-time or part-time.
FAQ
