Related Policies

Parental Leave Benefits

NAU offers both paid and unpaid Parental Leave to support you with approved time away from work for birth, adoption or placement of a child (foster care or legal guardianship).

Regular benefit eligible employees will be able to request up to 12 weeks approved time away from work for Birth and Bonding which includes adoption and placement of a child. Time off is also provided for stillbirth and miscarriage.

Review the Parental Leave Policy

Image of parents holding a new baby Photo by Kelly Dikkema on unsplash

Paid 

Regular benefit eligible employees with at least one year of service and have worked at least 1,250 hours in the previous twelve months can request up to 12 weeks of approved paid time off.

Unpaid 

Regular employees with less than one year of service and/or who has worked less than 1,250 hours in the previous 12 months can request up to 12 weeks of approved unpaid time off. 

Rules to remember

  • Family Medical Leave will run concurrently with paid parental leave
  • If both parents work for NAU, both parents are eligible for 12-weeks of parental leave each.
  • Employees will be limited to one occurrence in a 12-month period as of the date of birth or event.
  • Parental Leave should be taken continuously or if approved by the department as a reduced schedule or intermittently.

How to request Parental Leave

You request Parental Leave by completing the online Leave of Absence Request form.

When leave begins

Parental Leave is normally approved to begin on the date of birth or the date of the adoption or placement of your child. If needed, you can request to start your Parental Leave up to two weeks before the anticipated eligible event.

Reporting time away from work

All time away from work should be reported on your timesheet in Employee Self-Service through LOUIE – HR .

Returning to work

In most circumstances you will be returned to your former or essentially equal position.

If you fail to return to work at your full schedule for at least 30 calendar days, you will be required to reimburse the University for the salary and benefits paid on during the Paid Parental Leave period.

Still have questions??

Contact the Benefits Team at nauhrbenefits@nau.edu or call (928) 523-2223.