Time off for childbirth, adoption, and foster care
The county is excited to support your growing family and offers total rewards that allow you time to care for your newest additions. Benefit-earning employees are eligible for up to 12 weeks of leave to recover from birth and/or bond with a new child.
- Parents include the carrying (birth) and non-carrying parent, spouse, domestic partner, adoptive and foster parents
- Your job is protected during your leave
Complete this form to apply for leave.
New in 2022! New parents are eligible for six weeks of paid parental leave (up from three weeks previously) for children born or adopted on or after January 2, 2022.
Planning your time away
Your leave may consist of paid or unpaid time away – or a combination of both.
Paid leave options
- Short-term disability. Replaces 60% of your income for carrying (birth) parents who participate in the county’s coverage. See the short-term disability fact sheet (PDF) or short-term disability for more information.
- Parental leave. Six weeks (up to 240 hours) for birth of a new child or adoption on or after January 2, 2022 (three weeks for births/adoptions prior to January 2, 2022). Total hours available is prorated based on your standard hours.
- Carrying (birth) parents must use parental leave within first 12 weeks of birth but after their short-term disability benefits are complete.
- Non-carrying parents, spouses, and adoptive parents have one year after the birth or adoption to use their parental leave (note: once you begin your parental leave, you must use the full balance within 12 weeks).
- View the parental leave rules for additional details.
- Request paid parental leave after the birth or adoption of your child, or after your short-term disability is approved if filling a claim.
- Sick leave. Both carrying (birth) and non-carrying parents can use up to six weeks for a vaginal delivery or up to eight weeks for a C-section.
- Vacation, PTO or other paid leave. Includes accrued vacation or PTO, vacation/PTO donations, holiday, banked special leave without pay, and comp time.
- Vacation-PTO donations. Both carrying and non-carrying parents can request donated vacation or PTO to use during the first six weeks after a vaginal delivery or during the eight weeks after a C-section delivery.
- You can receive donations while also receiving short-term disability payments.
- You must run out all other paid leave before you can receive donations.
- Learn about the vacation-PTO donation program.
Unpaid leave
If you have exhausted your paid leave options, you may take the remaining portion of your leave as unpaid by using special leave without pay or unpaid time.
You may request personal leave of absence beyond your 12-week leave, with supervisor approval.
Continuing your benefits while on leave
Your county benefits will continue while you are on leave, however the way you pay for your benefits varies:
- If you get a paycheck during your leave of absence, premiums come out of your paycheck.
- If your paycheck doesn’t cover the premiums, they come out of your next available paycheck.
- If you're out for an extended period of unpaid time, you'll receive a letter from the HR leave and accommodation management office with information on continuing your benefits.
- If you extend your time out of the office beyond 12 weeks by using additional personal leave, you are responsible for covering the cost of benefits at your own expense; the county will not make contributions.
More information
Family Medical and Leave Act (FMLA). Read about your rights and responsibilities under federal law (PDF)
HR leave and accommodation office. FMLA and parental leave are complex processes. Contact the HR leave and accommodation management office at hr.lam.office@hennepin.us to learn more about your benefits income options.