Massachusetts Paid Family & Medical Leave
Background
Harvard University offers all eligible employees paid family and medical leave. Harvard’s paid family and medical leave benefits, which are modeled on the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Law, are designed to enhance the many family-friendly and medical leave benefits that Harvard offers its employees. All such leaves are handled by the Lincoln Financial Group (LFG)
Please note: The Harvard MA PFML applies to
- Employees (on salary, receiving a W2);
- Former employees (on salary, receiving a W2);
- and Stipendee postdocs (stipend, receiving a 1099, Job code 000949).
All others are eligible for unpaid leave in the form of FMLA. Please contact your funding agency for confirmation of any additional leave benefits you may have with them.
Process for Harvard Benefits-eligible postdocs and Research Associates
To initiate a leave, you must:
1. Inform the FAS Leaves Office by email at leaves@fas.harvard.edu.
2. Submit this completed MA PFML Leave Form to the FAS Leaves Office.
Please Note:
Generally, the coverage for benefits eligible postdocs and Research Associates includes 8 weeks of maternity leave (covered by short-term disability in the case of postdocs, but not Research Associates), followed by 12 weeks of bonding leave (also available to non-birth parents). Confirmation of the salary replacement amounts can be obtained from the Lincoln Financial Group after you reach out to them.
Policy Documents
MA PFML for Postdoctoral Fellows
MA PFML for Research Associates (Academic Plan 2)
Q: In the case of Research Associates, are the 8 weeks of maternity covered by Short-Term Disability.
A: No, they're covered by the FAS
Q: May I use PTO to take 2 weeks prior to my due date, and does this need to be documented anywhere?
A: RAs don’t really have PTO in the sense that PTO is not (yet) recorded in any system. This is something that needs to be worked out with the PI, who can document it locally.