FAQs – All

Can I use other leave benefits (i.e. sick/annual/short/long-term disability) with paid parental leave? 

Paid parental leave is an addition to all other leave benefits at UT, including sick leave, annual leave, short/long-term disability, and leave without pay. Those leave categories will not be reduced while an employee is on Paid Parental Leave. An eligible employee should consult with the Office of Human Resources for assistance when planning a paid parental leave. 

Do I have to take Paid Parental Leave immediately following the birth or adoption of a child? 

Paid parental leave may be taken within the 12 months following the birth or adoption of a child and is available on a continuous, intermittent (separate blocks of time), or reduced schedule (reduces number of work hours per day or per week) basis. However, intermittent or reduced schedule paid parental leave requires approval by the immediate supervisor/chair and may require approval by the Dean, Director or Department Head in accordance with the respective department’s procedures. Intermittent or reduced schedule leave may not be taken in increments of less than one day. 

How do I change a policy?

We have in depth information about how to change a policy here in our flowchart.

How do I create a policy?

We have in depth information about how to create a policy here in our flowchart, and our general policy framework here. The Statement of Need and Impact form is here for your use.

How much Paid Parental Leave will be provided to eligible employees? 

An eligible regular, active faculty or staff employee will be provided up to 6 weeks (240 hours) of paid parental leave within 12 months following the birth or adoption of a child. The amount of leave is prorated based on the employee’s Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) at the time of the leave. 

Is Paid Parental Leave paid at 100 percent of employee’s base rate pay? 

Yes. Paid parental leave will be paid at 100 percent of the employee’s base pay rate. 

What happened to PolicyTech?

PolicyTech will remain our internal policy “filing cabinet” however it will no longer be in use online as our policies are now integrated with our website.

What is the total maximum amount of leave I can take for childbirth or adoption? 

State of Tennessee law provides a period of up to four (4) months of leave to employees for adoption, pregnancy, childbirth and nursing an infant, where applicable.

Will my accrued leave balances be reduced when I take Paid Parental Leave? 

Paid parental leave will not reduce any employee’s (staff and faculty) balance of accrued sick or annual leave or any faculty member’s eligibility for any other form of academic leave.