Massachusetts Maternity Leave

(effective 1/1/07)

If you are a female employee who is not eligible for the Family Medical Leave, but has worked for Lesley University for at least three consecutive months on a full-time basis, you are entitled under Massachusetts law for up to eight weeks of unpaid maternity leave for the purpose of giving birth or for adopting a child under the age of eighteen (or under the age of twenty-three, if the child is mentally or physically disabled). You must complete a Leave form and should notify your supervisor at least two weeks in advance of your expected departure date and the anticipated date of your return to work. If this notice is given, you will be reinstated to your original position if possible with the same status, pay, and length of service and seniority that you would have had if you had remained at work. Otherwise, you will be employed in a comparable position. Female employees who are eligible for both twelve weeks leave under Family Medical Leave Act, and eight weeks of leave under Massachusetts law may take up to a maximum leave of twelve weeks, if the leave is needed for the purpose of giving birth or adopting a child. A full-time female employee, who has used up to twelve weeks of leave under Family Medical Leave Act for a purpose not related to childbirth or adoption, is entitled under Massachusetts law to take eight additional weeks of maternity leave for the purpose of childbirth or adoption, which includes two weeks of Parenting Leave.

All accrued leave balances and unused sick time may be used for MMLA.