Maternity leave shall be granted to faculty and A & PS members under the following conditions:

 

1. If a physician deems it advisable that a faculty or A & PS member not work, or that a reduced workload is required for a period preceding the birth of the child, then a leave of absence for medical reasons or a partial reduction of normal duties shall be granted upon the submission of proper medical certification to the department head, with a copy to the Director of Human Resources.

 

2. Maternity leave shall begin on the date of birth of the child. Any female member of the faculty or A & PS on maternity leave will be excused from regular duties during the two-month period following the birth of her child, and during this period she will receive the salary and benefits that would normally be received under the terms of her employment.

 

3. Up to 10 consecutive months of additional leave without pay after a maternity leave will be granted upon written request of the faculty or A & PS member to the department head, with a copy to the Director of Human Resources (see Section 5 below). Salary reductions for A & PS members with less than full-year appointments will be made for time on unpaid leave on the basis of the specific terms of the appointment. The usual arrangements for the continuation of benefits during an unpaid leave will apply during this period. (See Employee Benefit Contributions for Persons on Leave below.)

 

4. In the case of medical complications requiring more than the two months of paid maternity leave, the faculty or A & PS member should arrange for a physician's certificate to be sent to the department head, with a copy to the Director of Human Resources in order that a disability leave may be arranged.

 

5. Notification of the expected date of delivery and requests for any leave time exceeding the two month's paid leave should be made in writing as soon as feasible to the department head, with a copy to the Director of Human Resources. If a replacement is required, the department head should submit a written request to the appropriate division head. 

Paternity Leave

Paternity leave without pay normally is granted upon application under the terms of any other leave of absence without pay. The earliest possible notice should be given in writing to the department head, with a copy to the Director of Human Resources.

Employee Benefit Contributions for Persons on Leave

Employee benefit payments by the College and the individual can be continued during periods in which a participant is on a leave of absence, except for retirement accounts. IRS guidelines prohibit contributions into retirement accounts for persons on unpaid leave. For persons on partial unpaid leaves, Oberlin College's contribution to their retirement account must be based on the actual fraction of salary that is paid, not on the base annual rated. (3/95 from A & PS Employee Handbook)

Faculty and A & PS on leave without pay for up to one year may continue other staff benefit coverages by paying the employee's share of the cost of such premiums. In such cases the College continues to pay its normal share of employee benefit premiums. In all cases in which benefits are continued during a leave without pay, the employee must make the necessary arrangements with the Office of Human Resources prior to departing on leave.

If an outside grant or another institution supports the faculty or A & PS member during the leave, the application should include a request for funds to cover the employer's share of staff benefit payment. Disability insurance coverage, based on the employee's regular annual salary rate, will continue to be provided by the College during periods in which a faculty or A & PS member is on an approved leave of absence.


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Last updated: 18 April 1996