# 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](/family-and-medical-leave-act-1993). Please contact your funding agency for confirmation of any additional leave benefits you may have with them. ![binders](/sites/g/files/omnuum1516/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/postdoc/files/binders_01.jpg?itok=Uyo9l8I3) ##### **Process for Harvard Benefits-eligible postdocs and Research Associates** To initiate a leave, you must: 1\. Inform your department administrator (or SEAS administrator), by submitting this [MA PFML Leave form](/file_url/437). 2\. When you send the form to your administrator, please make sure to copy me: 3\. Contact the LFG to request a leave. • By phone: Employees may call the Harvard-dedicated number at **1-844-600-3978.** Intake is available 8AM – 10 PM EST, Monday – Friday. • Online: Employees may go to My Lincoln Portal® at [mylincolnportal.com](https://www.lincolnfinancial.com/public/individuals) and click on “Register for an account” under the “Log In” button. The Employer Code is: Harvard (not case sensitive). Instructions will be provided on the website throughout the leave submission process. ##### **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](https://harvie.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum12046/files/humanresources/files/mapfml_summary_nonunion_2021.pdf) MA PFML for [Research Associates](https://harvie.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/omnuum12046/files/2025-01/mapfml_summary_faculty_2021.pdf) (Academic Plan 2) Open all sections Close all sections ### FAQs expand\_more 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.