Frequently Asked Questions
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A list of the most commonly asked questions.
Your parental leave application also serves as an official notice to your school or work office of your intentions of how long you plan to be out so that they can prepare for your absence. You are encouraged to directly discuss your plans with your supervisor as well. You are able to amend your application and leave plans later if your intentions change.
No. Days when DOE employees do not work (such as a holiday, a school break or a weekend) during your parental leave will not extend its six-week duration. However, if you are a birth parent who uses your CAR days for six or eight weeks after the birth and prior to starting UFT parental leave, you will not be charged for a CAR day on a day when DOE employees are off.
Read more about UFT parental leave »
No. Individuals who work F-status are not eligible to take UFT parental leaves. Time worked F-status will also not count towards eligibility to take parental leave.
Multiple births from one pregnancy are considered to be a single covered event, so you will get the same six calendar weeks (eight weeks for a C-section).
Read more about UFT parental leaves »
Members are eligible for an additional UFT parental leave if they have been an eligible employee in active status for 10 calendar months following the initial covered event, exclusive of time on an unpaid leave other than parental leave.
For non-birth parents, your UFT parental leave will start the next day, but still will end no later than six calendar weeks (eight weeks for a C-section) starting on the day of the event. For birth parents, parental leave will start after the use of any CAR/sick days towards a recovery period.
1. It is recommended that you apply using the DOE's self-service online leave application system (SOLAS) at least 15 days in advance of the anticipated date of birth or adoption. You’ll be asked if you intend to use your CAR day balance if you are the birth parent and if you plan to take an unpaid child care leave after your UFT parental leave ends. You will also be asked for the first day you anticipate being absent from work and the last day you anticipate being absent from work (not the date of your return).
2. After the birth, you must confirm the birth date in SOLAS within 10 days (except if there are extenuating circumstances). The actual date of birth or covered event will be used to determine the final start and end dates of your leave. During these 10 days, you can amend your application if you change your mind about using your CAR balance or taking an unpaid child care leave following your UFT parental leave.
3. If the baby arrives and you have not already submitted a leave application, you have 10 calendar days afterward to notify the DOE via SOLAS or you may forfeit your right to take the leave. In the case of extenuating circumstances, you should provide the reason the deadline was missed to ensure the leave can be granted.
4. Submit required documentation through SOLAS no more than 21 calendar days after the birth.
You should apply at least 15 days prior to the anticipated due or covered event date, but no later than 10 days after delivery to ensure timely payment of the benefit from the UFT.
If your baby arrives much later than the due date, you can revise your application in SOLAS. Just log back in within 10 days of giving birth. You have to confirm the birth date regardless.
In general you should apply as soon as possible when you know your plans for using your CAR days and any additional child care leave, however keep in mind that you will not be able to apply earlier than two months in advance of the anticipated event. You should also notify your school or work location so they can begin to plan for your absence.
Birth parents, partners of birth parents, adoptive parents and foster parents may be eligible for a UFT parental leave. You must be in a title represented by the UFT, be on the Department of Education payroll for a minimum of 12 calendar months and be a full-time employee or an H-bank/nonpedagogical employee who works 20 hours or more weekly. F-status and per-diem employees are not eligible.
Members who have taken one parental leave are eligible to take another parental leave after 10 calendar months of active status. Members who take a UFT parental leave must return to work or active status for at least 12 calendar months or they will be required to pay back the benefit.
Check your eligibility for parental benefits by using the UFT Parental Leave Guide. Log in to the UFT Member Hub to check it out!
One of the following must be submitted by the birth parent or the partner of a birth parent:
- a copy of your child's birth certificate
- a copy of your child's footprints or a letter from the doctor or hospital, on official letterhead, stating the child's birth date, parent names, and type of delivery.
For adoption or foster care, you must submit official adoption or foster paperwork.
To avoid delays, you may wish to choose options available before the birth certificate arrives so you can submit your documentation as soon as possible.
Supporting documentation may be uploaded directly to SOLAS or sent via email to: SOLASleavesfax@schools.nyc.gov.
Read more about UFT parental leave »