On June 26, 2018, the Office of Governor Ralph S. Northam announced a new parental leave benefit for full-time employees of the Commonwealth. This benefit provides up to eight weeks of paid parental leave to enable eligible employees to care for and bond with a newborn, or for a child under the age of eighteen (18) newly-placed for adoption, foster or custodial care.

Parental leave shall be taken within six (6) months following the birth, adoption, or foster placement of the child, only be taken once in a 12-month period, and only taken once per child. Parental leave can be taken consecutively or intermittently. If both parents are employed by the university, each shall receive eight (8) weeks of parental leave, which may be taken concurrently, consecutively, or at different times.

Parental leave shall run concurrently with job protection provided under the Family and Medical Leave Act and run concurrently or sequentially with the Virginia Sickness and Disability Plan (VSDP), if the employee is eligible for VSDP.

For additional information regarding parental leave, please review the Parental Leave Frequently Asked Questions website. Contact the Benefits team with questions.

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