- If you physically gave birth to a child, you may use your available CAR/sick day balance immediately after your child’s birth for up to a maximum of six calendar weeks (eight weeks for a C-section) before beginning UFT parental leave for an additional six weeks.
- If you did not give birth to a child, you are eligible for up to six weeks of UFT parental leave beginning on the date of the birth or adoption of the child.
- If your newborn can’t come home from the hospital with you: In a new provision in the 2023 contract, if the newborn must remain in the hospital (in a neonatal intensive care unit or otherwise) longer than a typical stay, the parental leave can be delayed for either the birth parent or their partner, and the birth parent can borrow days and use a grace period for up to six weeks following the vaginal birth or eight weeks following a C-section if she doesn’t have enough CAR days in her bank. In no case, however, may parental leave start later than three months after the birth of a child.