Massachusetts Paid Family & Medical Leave
SHarvard 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.
General information for postdocs about these leaves is available in the leaves section of the website.
For administrators, more detailed information about the process is available below.
MA PFML Leave form for postdocs to use.
If you have any questions or concerns, just reach out to Stephen Kargère (kargere@fas.harvard.edu)
1. If the postdoc is MA PFML eligible—generally applicable to postdocs who Harvard benefits eligible, including stipendee postdocs—they should: a) Fill out the “MA PFML Leave form; b) Send the form to their departments administrator; and c) Reach out to the Lincoln Financial Group (LFG) to initiate the leave request.
2. Once LFG approves the leave, LFG informs both the Postdoc and Bill Carter in Disability Payroll (disabilitybenefitspayroll@harvard.edu), who then enters the leave into Peoplesoft.
3. BIll Carter enters the leave actions in Peoplesoft, including the dates and the coding.
4. The FAS Leaves consultant confirms the leave with the department.
1. If the RA is MA PFML eligible—generally applicable to RAs who are Harvard benefits eligible—they should: a) Fill out the “MA PFML Form” form; b) Send the form to their departments administrator; and c) Reach out to the Lincoln Financial Group (LFG) to initiate the leave request.
2. Once LFG approves the leave, they forward the approval, inclusive of effective dates, to the RA with copy to the FAS Appointment Office.
3. The FAS Appointment Office then: a) Conveys approval to Department administrator, and b) Enters the leave in Aurora, using the costing to reflect the FAS code “000760” to include PI root designation for the maternity leave. Please note: Research Associates fall under Academic plan 2.
4. Approximately one week prior to the end of medical leave, LFG contacts the RA to inquire with respect to bonding leave.
5. Once approved for bonding leave, LFG sends another approval to the Appointment Office
6. The FAS Appointments Office then: a) Conveys approval to Department administrator, and b) Enters the leave in Aurora, changing the costing back to the regular funding source.
7. Appointment Office prepares any necessary actions.
The overall policy for the plan, including salary replacement amounts, can be found on this page.
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.