UAB is committed to creating and maintaining a work culture that supports faculty and staff in their efforts to balance work and family. UAB's Paid Parental Leave Policy supports these efforts by allowing parents additional flexibility and time to bond with their new child, adjust to a new family situation and balance professional obligations.
The enhancements to UAB's Paid Parental Leave and Sick Time policies go into effect July 1, 2025. If the birth or adoption of a child takes place between June 1 and July 1, 2025, and the employee is eligible for FMLA at the time of the birth or adoption (meaning they have been employed at least 12 months and worked at least 1,250 hours in the last 12 months), a UAB Leaves of Absence coordinator will assess the case to determine if the employee is eligible for the extra two weeks of Paid Parental Leave available after July 1, 2025.
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Parental Leave Eligibility
Effective July 1, 2025, to be eligible for Paid Parental Leave, an employee must meet the following criteria:- Have been employed in the benefit eligible assignment for at least 6 months prior to the birth or adoption of a child
- Must be in a benefit eligible assignment at the time the leave occurs
Entity Name Eligible Statuses UAB/UAB Hospital LLC 01 Full Time
03 Part Time
07 Resident
12 Three Twelve Hour Shifts
17 Weekend StaffUAHSF Full Time
Part Time
07 ResidentUAB Health System Full Time
Regular Part TimeCallahan Eye Hospital Full Time -
Parental Leave FAQs
FAQs Related to the July 1, 2025 Policy Revision
Q: Why is UAB offering six weeks to the birthing parent when the state requires eight weeks for the birth mother?
Q: I am, or will be, on a leave for the birth of a child when the policy change goes into effect on July 1, 2025. Am I eligible to receive the two extra weeks?
Q: Are the six weeks still required to be used within six months following the birth or adoption of a child?
Q: Does paid parental leave policy extend the 12 weeks of FMLA?
Q: How does paid parental leave apply to fathers or the other parent? Specifically, does the newborn have to be sick?
Q: Is the father allowed to use Paid Parental Leave before the Leaves Team receives the verification of birth?
Q: If both parents work for UAB/UAB Medicine, do they both receive six weeks paid parental leave?
Q: What is the process for requesting parental leave?
Q: How much notice must I give before taking paid parental leave?
Q: How long after birth or adoption can I access the six weeks of paid parental leave?
Q: Can less than six weeks of parental leave be taken?
Q: What if employee doesn’t take the full six weeks of parental leave?
Q: Will the leave have to be taken in consecutive days or can it be taken intermittently?
Q: Will I still be eligible for sick time donation if I receive six weeks of paid leave?
Q: I had a miscarriage or stillbirth. Am I still eligible to receive paid parental leave?
Q: Why is UAB offering six weeks to the birthing parent when the state requires eight weeks for the birth mother?UAB is exempt from Senate Bill 199 regulations, and offers both the birthing, non-birthing or adoptive parent six weeks.
Q: I am, or will be, on a leave for the birth of a child when the policy change goes into effect on July 1, 2025. Am I eligible to receive the two extra weeks?The look-back period for eligibility consideration is if the birth of child or adoption happened on or after June 1, 2025. A Leave of Absence Coordinator will review and add the additional two weeks to your sick accruals starting July 1, 2025, if eligible.
Q: Are the six weeks still required to be used within six months following the birth or adoption of a child?Yes, the six weeks can be taken continuously or intermittently as long as they are used within the six months following the birth or adoption.
Q: Does paid parental leave policy extend the 12 weeks of FMLA?No, total FMLA leave cannot exceed 12 weeks.
Q: How does paid parental leave apply to fathers or the other parent? Specifically, does the newborn have to be sick?Paid parental leave applies equally to both parents. The newborn does not need to be sick for parents to utilize paid parental leave.
Q: Is the father allowed to use Paid Parental Leave before the Leaves Team receives the verification of birth?No. The verification must be received before Paid Parental Leave is added to the father’s sick bank.
Q: If both parents work for UAB/UAB Medicine, do they both receive six weeks paid parental leave?Yes, both parents receive six weeks paid parental leave. Parents are NOT required to take their parental leave at the same time but it must occur within the first six month following the birth or adoption.
Q: What is the process for requesting parental leave?The employee must submit request for leave through the UAB LEAVE of ABSENCE REQUEST APP.
How much notice must I give before taking paid parental leave?30 days. See UAB's Paid Parental Leave Policy for details.
How long after birth or adoption can I access the six weeks of paid parental leave?Paid parental leave needs to be taken within six months after the birth or adoption. See UAB's Paid Parental Leave Policy for details regarding 9-month faculty/staff.
Can less than six weeks of parental leave be taken?Yes.
What if employee doesn’t take the full six weeks of parental leave?The remainder stays in the sick bank.
Will the leave have to be taken in consecutive days or can it be taken intermittently?Paid parental leave does not have to be taken in consecutive days. It can be taken intermittently, with permission from the employee’s supervisor and notification of the designated HR representative.
Will I still be eligible for sick time donation if I receive six weeks of paid leave?Yes. However, sick time donation does not apply to UAB Health System or Callahan Eye Hospital employees. Please see UAB's Sick Time Donation Policy. Total FMLA leave cannot exceed 12 weeks.
Q: I had a miscarriage or stillbirth. Am I still eligible to receive paid parental leave?UAB’s Paid Parental Leave does not cover miscarriage or stillbirth. However, UAB does offer Bereavement Leave to cover these situations.
Employees are encouraged to talk to their supervisor or designated HR representative for clarification on these and other questions, if needed. -
Additional Parental Leave Resources