Beginning in January 2021, Harvard University will offer all eligible employees paid family and medical leave. Harvard’s new 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.
General information for about these leaves is available here.
In addition, for administrators, please consult the Guide for Departments and use the MA PFML Leave form.
Following FAS policy, non benefits-eligible postdocs are first eligible for twelve unpaid weeks of FMLA leave. Depending on the terms of their fellowship or funding source, part of this leave may be paid by their granting agency. Postdocs should check directly with this agency to determine any benefits it may provide to birth mothers.
During the First 8 weeks of leave (Maternity/STD)
Q: Who is the disability payroll administrator?
A: As before, central benefits moves postdocs to disability payroll (Bill Carter)
Q: During this time, does the postdoc accrue vacation days?
A: To be determined.
Q: During this time, can the postdoc supplement their salary with vacation time?
A: The only way for the lab to supplement a postdoc's salary during this time is with additional-pay actions
Family Bonding Leave (Following 12 weeks)
Q: During this time, who pays the salary (including for stipendee postdocs)?
A: By the lab (Only STD and LTD are covered by fringe).
Q: During this time, who handles the postdoc's payroll?
A: The Appointments Office enters the leave in Aurora.
Q: During this time, does the postdoc accrue vacation days?
A: To be determined.
Q: During this time, can the postdoc supplement their salary with vacation time?
A: The only way for the lab to supplement a postdoc's salary during this time is with additional-pay actions
Return to Work
Q: Who handles the return to work documentation?
A: The return to work forms should be submitted to the case manager at Lincoln through the My Lincoln Portal, just as the initial leave documents were shared using the "upload documents" feature or through email, with copy to the Lab/PI.
Q: Is an extension of time using an unpaid leave or vacation time possible?
A: Yes, with approval from PI.
Q: Under this law, how long may someone take for leave and still have their job protected?
A: The duration of the MA PFML. If they go on leave afterwards, their job may not be protected.