Dear colleagues,
I understand from recent conversations with faculty, including the Faculty Council on Gender, Equity and Justice, that there is a strong desire to review and improve our university parental leave policies for academic personnel. I strongly support this work. Accordingly, I have asked UW Human Resources (UWHR) and the Office of Academic Personnel (OAP) to review current parental leave policies for academic personnel and propose updates or improvements, including leave for non-birth parents. I’ve asked them to seek advice and feedback from the Board of Deans and Chancellors, unit administrators and appropriate councils in the Faculty Senate as needed and appropriate.
In addition to a desire for a more comprehensive policy, recent updates in guidance from the state Department of Labor and Industries indicates the University needs to make a specific change in its current practice regarding use of sick leave to care for a birth parent (this change is unrelated to leave practices for care or bonding with a child). While a faculty parental leave policy is being developed, effective immediately, faculty will be permitted to use available faculty sick leave to care for the birth parent by following the process to request leave to care for a family member. Please contact your HR leave specialist ([email protected]) if you have any questions about medical leaves.
Sincerely,