Leave Type: Maternity
Employee: Represented by P-2, Social and Human Services (AFSCME)

Definition

“Maternity leave” begins on the date of birth and continues during the medically certified period of disability, which is generally 6 weeks (or 8 weeks following a Cesarean birth).  Medically certified leaves prior to birth are not considered maternity (personal illness), nor is a non-medical leave following the period of disability (parental leave).

Job Protection and Benefit Continuation

Federal FMLA 

• Eligible after one year of employment and after working 1,250 hours or more in previous 12-months
• Up to 12 weeks of leave during 12-month FMLA period
• Continued eligibility for state contributions toward health insurance (directly billed as needed)

Pregnancy Discrimination Act

• Pregnancy-related conditions cannot be singled out for special procedures to determine an employee's ability to work.
• Job must be held open for a pregnancy-related absence the same length of time jobs are held open for employees on sick or disability leave.

Connecticut General Statute 46a.60(a).7

• Provides for a reasonable leave for disability resulting from pregnancy
• Requires employers to allow employees to use pay accruals during the leave
• Provides for reinstatement to original job or to an equivalent position following leave
• Continued eligibility for state contributions toward health insurance

Note:  Leaves for employees with end date positions will not be extended beyond the end date.

How the Leave is Paid

Paid using sick leave entitlements. 

Optional paid time that can be applied to the leave after exhausting sick leave entitlements:

• Personal leave
• Vacation Time
• Earned holidays

Advanced Sick Leave

• Must have at least 5 years of full-time service
• Available when all paid leave options (from above) are exhausted
• For cases involving extended periods of illness or injury
• 1 day at full pay for each completed year of full-time service to a maximum of 30 days at full pay

Extended Sick Leave

• Must have at least 20 years of state service
• Available when all paid leave options (from above) are exhausted
• Half-pay for up to a maximum of 30 days

Forms

Note:  After baby is born, must provide Leave Administrator with birth certificate.  If delivery is by Cesarean section, must provide Leave Administrator with medical certification reflecting Cesarean birth.

Time Coding During the Leave

For time that is not protected by Federal FMLA, use standard time codes (examples:  “LV” for leave without pay, “V” for Vacation)

Policy References