synthetic_policies/parental_leave_policy.md

HR-POL-010: Parental Leave Policy

Effective Date: 2025-05-01 Revision: 1.1 Owner: Human Resources

1. Purpose

This policy provides paid leave for employees to bond with a new child following birth, adoption, or foster care placement. We are committed to supporting our employees and their families during this important time.

2. Eligibility

• All full-time employees who have completed at least 12 months of continuous service prior to the date of leave.

3. Leave Provisions

• Primary Caregiver Leave: Eligible employees who are the primary caregiver of a new child are entitled to up to 16 weeks of paid leave.
• Secondary Caregiver Leave: Eligible employees who are the secondary caregiver are entitled to up to 8 weeks of paid leave.
• Pay: Leave is paid at 100% of the employee's base salary. This leave runs concurrently with any state or federally mandated leave (e.g., FMLA).

4. Using Leave

• Timing: Leave must be taken within the first 12 months following the birth or placement of the child.
• Structure: Leave can be taken in a single continuous block. Intermittent leave may be granted with manager and HR approval, but it must be taken in minimum increments of one week.
• Notice: Employees must provide at least 30 days' written notice to HR and their manager before their intended leave start date, or as soon as is practicable.

5. Return to Work

• Job Protection: Employees will be reinstated to their same or an equivalent position with the same pay, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment upon their return from leave.
• Transition Support: A phased return-to-work schedule (e.g., reduced hours for the first few weeks) may be arranged with manager approval to help ease the transition back to work.

6. Benefits During Leave

• Health insurance and other benefits will continue to be provided during parental leave under the same conditions as if the employee were actively working.
• Employee contributions to benefit premiums will continue to be deducted from their pay.

7. Related Policies

• Paid Time Off (PTO) Policy (HR-POL-002)
• Employee Handbook (HR-POL-001)

8. Revision History

• v1.1 (2025-10-12): Added details on notice, leave structure, and benefits continuation.
• v1.0 (2025-05-01): Initial version.