Understanding UPTE Family
and Parental Leaves

UPTE members have various leaves available to allow for time off to give birth and/or bond with a new child, including improved childcaring leave not available to non-union workers.

The following is an explanation of how different leaves work & interact, and who is eligible for each one.

Here are four key takeaways:

  1. Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) is separate from bonding leave

  2. Bonding Leave (California Family Rights Act (CFRA) and Childcaring Leave (CCL) starts after Pregnancy Disability ends; they do not run concurrently

  3. Childcaring Leave is available even if you are not CFRA eligible

  4. Up to 12 weeks of the 6-month Childcaring Leave may qualify as CFRA bonding leave. The CFRA portion may be taken intermittently (usually in 2-weeks increments) within the first year of birth or placement of the child.

    • Leave type

      • Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL)

    • How it works:

      • Medical leave: FMLA (but not CFRA) runs concurrently

    • Length:

      • Up to 4 months, as medically necessary. May be extended an additional 2 months if medically necessary under University Disability Leave.

      • May be used intermittently based on need

      • May have reduced schedule or temporary transfer  based on need

    • Eligibility:

      • No minimum eligbility

      • Must have verified disability related to pregnancy or childbirth

    • Pay/income:

      • PTO/Sick Leave

      • UC Disability Pay

    • Leave types:

      •  CFRA and Childcaring Leave (CCL)

    • How it works:

      • Starts after pregnancy disability ends.

      • CCL available without CFRA (but without PFCB pay)

      • CFRA and CCL run concurrently 

    • Length:

      • 6 months total (12 weeks CFRA, remaining CCL) for birth parent and non-birth parents (including adoption, guardianship, step-parent)

      • The CFRA portion of the leave may be taken non-consecutively (generally in 2-week intervals) within 1 year after the child’s birth or placement

    • Eligibility:

      •  CFRA: 12 months of cumulative employment + 1,250 hours worked (not including any leaves) in the 12 months prior to the leave

      • CCL: no minimum eligibility

    • Pay/income:

      •  PFCB payment during CFRA portion only (if eligible)

      • PTO/unpaid for non-CFRA portions

    • Leave types:

      • Not a leave; payment for eligible leaves

    • How it works:

      •  Must be used during qualifying leave

      • Not available during standalone CCL without CFRA

    • Length:

      •  8 workweeks per calendar year

    • Eligibility:

      • Career employees only

      • Available only during qualifying CFRA or FMLA leave (baby bonding or caring for a sick family members) and Military Caregiver Leave. Not available for employee’s own health condition or pregnancy disability.

      • CCL: no minimum eligibility

    • Pay/income:

      •  100% of base salary

Eligibility

If you are a Birth Parent who is CFRA eligible…

  • You can use up to 4 months Pregnancy Disability Leave plus 2 months of University Disability Leave + 3 months of CFRA parental leave + 3 months of childcaring leave

  • The leave is compensated by up to 6 months of short-term disability pay + 2 months of 100% pay under PFCB + earned leaves (vacation, sick, compensatory) + leave without pay

If you are a Non-birth parent who is CFRA eligible…

  • You can use 3 months of CFRA parental leave + 3 months of UPTE contract childcaring leave

  • The leave is compensated by 2 months of 100% pay under PFCB + earned leaves (vacation, sick, compensatory) + leave without pay

If you are a parent (birthing and non-birthing) who is not CFRA eligible…

  • You can use 6 months of UPTE contract childcaring leave

  • The leave is compensated by earned leaves (vacation, sick, compensatory) + leave without pay

Questions? Contact us.