Updated Paid Parental Leave Policy

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Announcement of Paid Parental Leave Policy Update

On April 24, 2024, Governor Kemp signed House Bill 1010, amending the state law governing paid parental leave for eligible employees. The amendment increases the length of paid parental leave available to eligible employees from three weeks (120 hours) to six weeks (240 hours) and requires institutions to notify eligible employees of the benefit upon hire and annually thereafter. These changes went into effect July 1, 2024.

 

The following are key provisions of the USG Paid Parental Leave Policy:

Employee Eligibility. Eligible employees are defined as:

  • Regular benefits eligible employees who work 30 hours or more per week and have at least 6 months of continuous service with USG. There is no requirement to work a certain number of hours within the 6-month period for these employees.
  • Regular partially benefits eligible employees who work between 20-29 hours per week, have at least 6 months of continuous service with USG, and have worked a minimum of 700 hours over the 6 months.
  • Regular non-benefits eligible employees who work less than 20 hours per week, have at least 6 months of continuous service, and have worked a minimum of 700 hours over the 6 months.
  • Temporary non-benefits eligible employees who have at least 6 months of continuous service and have worked a minimum of 700 hours over the 6 months.
  • Rehired retirees who are receiving retirement benefits and students are not eligible for paid parental leave.

 

The following are eligible qualifying life events:

  • The birth of a child of an eligible employee.
  • The placement of a minor child for adoption with an eligible employee; and
  • The placement of a minor child for foster care with an eligible employee.

 

Leave Administration

  • Eligible leave amount: Up to a maximum of 240 hours of paid leave. (Effective 7.1.24)
  • The maximum of 240 hour is the same, regardless of the number of qualifying events within the year and across USG institutions.
  • Leave may be used on a continuous or intermittent basis.
  • Unused leave does not carryover for future use.
  • Parental leave has no cash value upon separation.
  • The full leave entitlement must be taken within twelve months of the qualifying life event.

 

Requests for Paid Parental Leave

  • Employees must provide their supervisor and the office of human resources with notice of the request for leave at least 30 days prior to the proposed leave date (or as soon as possible if the leave was unforeseeable). The employee must complete the necessary HR forms and provide all documentation as required by the HR department to substantiate the request.

 

If you have question or wish to request parental leave, please contact Cory McElroy (cmcelroy@highlands.edu OR 678.872.8128) for assistance.