# 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.