Frequently Asked Questions about Expanded Parental Leave Access

Who is eligible for 3 weeks of paid parental leave?
Employees who add a child to their family during their first six months of employment now have access to 3 weeks of paid parental leave. With the introduction of a paid parental leave benefit, short-term sick time is no longer available for bonding. This benefit is retroactive to January 1, 2025.  Employees in their first six months of employment who had a qualifying event (birth, adoption, foster, legal guardianship) as of January 1, 2025 are eligible to request paid parental leave.  
I am in my first six months of employment and already used paid time (short term sick, vacation, PTO) for bonding with a child added to my family as of January 1, 2025?  Can I request that paid parental leave be used instead?
Yes.  Employees who are newly eligible for 3 weeks of paid parental leave and had a qualifying event (birth, adoption, foster, legal guardianship) in their first six months of employment on or after January 1, 2025, can request that time previously used for bonding be converted to paid parental leave (maximum of 3 weeks).
If I used unpaid time, such as excused time without pay or unpaid child care leave and had a qualifying event (birth, adoption, foster, legal guardianship) on or after January 1, 2025, during my first six months of employment, can I request paid parental leave instead?
Employees who are newly eligible for 3 weeks of paid parental leave and had a qualifying event in their first six months of employment on or after January 1, 2025 can request that unpaid time previously used for bonding be converted to paid parental leave, up to a maximum of three weeks of paid time, inclusive of paid time also converted to paid parental leave.
How do I request that time previously used for bonding be converted to paid parental leave?
Notify your unit of your intention to convert the time to paid parental leave.
Campus employees should submit the Maternity and Parental Leave Request eForm as soon as the department is notified.  The Paid Leave Balance team (or the SSC) will review eligibility for parental leave and provide notice to the employee and department. If approved for paid parental leave, timesheets should be updated to reflect parental leave (timekeeping code PRL) for time previously used for bonding as of January 1, 2025.
Michigan Medicine employees should submit a ticket to the Michigan Medicine HR Help Center as soon as the department is notified. An HR Leave Specialist will review eligibility for parental leave as well as FMLA, and provide notice to the employee and department. If approved for paid parental leave, timesheets should be updated to reflect parental leave (timekeeping code PRL) for time previously used for bonding as of January 1, 2025.  For assistance, call 734-647-5538. (Please note that Medical School primary research faculty should follow the eForm process to request maternity or parental leave.) 
Dearborn and Flint employees should contact their respective Human Resources Offices. An HR representative will assist with the processing of approved leaves and timesheets appropriately. 
Dearborn - [email protected] or 313-593-5190. 
Flint - [email protected] or 810-762-3150.
Will my probationary period be extended if I take paid parental leave?
Yes.  Probationary periods will be extended for the amount of paid parental leave taken.  
I am in my first six months of employment and added a child to my family on December 31, 2024.  Am I eligible for the new paid parental leave benefit?
No.  Paid parental leave for employees in their first six months of employment is available for qualifying events that occurred on or after January 1, 2025.  
Are faculty and staff covered by a collective bargaining agreement and in their first six months of employment eligible for the new paid parental leave benefit?

Faculty and staff who are covered by a collective bargaining agreement should consult their contract regarding eligibility for leave benefits. For additional information, please review the maternity (childbirth) and parental leave resources.