Faculty Appointments and Conditions of Employment

Academic Leave of Absence for One or More Semesters: Maternity Leave

The University of Delaware recognizes the importance of having a maternity leave policy, which helps faculty balance the responsibilities of work and parenthood. The University of Delaware encourages faculty to develop a dialogue with their chairs/directors so that their career paths can be maintained while assuming the added responsibilities of parenthood.

It is the policy of the University to comply with the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993, which grants an eligible employee up to a total of 12 workweeks of unpaid leave in any 12-month period for certain circumstances. The following Maternity Leave policy sets forth the options that are available to faculty. An eligible employee is entitled to up to a total of 12 workweeks of maternity leave during a 12-month period for the birth or placement of a child for adoption or foster care. Due to the academic calendar, faculty may receive unpaid FMLA leave for an entire semester. This maternity leave will count against the employee's total family and medical leave entitlement of 12 weeks in any 12-month period.

Faculty may have time off with pay if they are physically unable to work due to pregnancy, childbirth, miscarriage, abortion, or other related medical conditions. The University reserves the right to require a doctor's certification at any time for periods longer than six weeks.

If possible, faculty requesting time off for reasons associated with childbirth must notify their supervisor three months prior to the anticipated date of the leave. Faculty members are encouraged to follow professional advice concerning the length of time worked during pregnancy and the appropriate time to resume work after childbirth or related medical conditions. (Rev. 3/15/01, Office of Labor Relations through AAUP contract negotiations).

The University and the AAUP also recognize that childbirth and adoption can affect the teaching availability of a faculty member. Department chairpersons and faculty members must develop workload options that meet department and individual needs immediately following the birth or adoption of a child under the age of five by the faculty member. If the faculty member is the primary caregiver, one such option is to be granted a one semester administered load that allows a choice of either partial or full relief from teaching during the semester of the birth or the adoption of a child under the age of five by the faculty member or immediately following the birth or adoption. The Vice President for Administration and the AAUP Contract Maintenance Officer are available to discuss such options with faculty and department chairs. (2005-2008 Collective Bargaining Agreement between the University and the AAUP, Article 9.14).