USG updates parental leave policy

In May, Gov. Brian Kemp signed a new parental leave law for state employees. The new law and University System of Georgia policy on parental leave is effective July 1. USG employees who meet the established eligibility criteria and experience a qualifying life event as defined below may request parental leave.

Employee eligibility

An eligible employee is defined as a full-time regular employee, part-time regular employee or temporary employee who has been employed with the USG for at least six months of continuous service and has worked a minimum of 700 hours over the six months immediately preceding the parental leave qualifying event.

Qualifying life event

The following are eligible qualifying life events:

• The birth of a child of an eligible employee.
• The placement of a minor child for adoption with an eligible employee.
• The placement of a minor child for foster care with an eligible employee.

Key provisions of parental leave policy

• Eligible leave amount: Up to a maximum of 120 hours of paid leave.
• The maximum of 120 hours is the same, regardless of the number of qualifying events within the year and across USG institutions.
• Leave may be used on a continuous or intermittent basis.
• Unused leave does not carry over for future use.
• Parental leave has no cash value upon separation.

Requests for paid parental leave

Employees must provide their supervisor and Human Resources with the Paid Parental Leave Request at least 30 days prior to the proposed leave date (or if the leave was not foreseeable, as soon as possible). The employee must complete the necessary HR form(s) and provide all documentation as required by the HR department to substantiate the request.

The USG FAQs for paid parental leave can be found here.  Should you have a need for parental leave, please email Chris Hunt, HR leave specialist, or call 706-721-3836.