I want to take time away

bonding with a new child

Congratulations on the addition to your family. It’s important to have time to bond with your new child. Associates who are adding a new child to the family are eligible for a combination of programs that provide time, pay, and flexibility while going through this experience.

Please note: This page describes the leave experience for non-birthing parents. For those who are expecting to give birth, your programs are described on the Giving Birth page.

Available leave types

It's important to have time to bond with a new child. Paid Parental Leave provides you time and pay while you bond with your new addition, while our New Parent Phase In program provides you flexibility once it's time to return to work. Please note that FMLA and statutory leaves run concurrently with provided leave.

Paid Parental Leave (PPL)

Paid Parental Leave (PPL) provides up to 8 weeks of full income replacement while you bond with your child. PPL can be completed in two ways: either in a single, continuous period of 8 weeks, or in multiple periods of minimum 1-week increments. The entire PPL duration must be completed within 12 months from the date of birth or placement. During PPL, your paycheck, health benefits, 401(k) deductions, and vacation accrual will continue.

New Parent Phase-In Program (NPPI)

New Parent Phase-In Program (NPPI) gives you the option to return to work on a temporary part-time schedule for up to 8 weeks following Short-Term Disability Leave or Paid Parental Leave. At least 30 days prior to your return-to-work date, notify Unum and your manager if you’ve chosen to use NPPI. Select a temporary, part-time work schedule for the duration of the NPPI period:

  • 3 days per week at 60% of base pay
  • 4 days per week at 80% of base pay
  • Your pay will be adjusted based on the temporary part-time schedule selected

Important! After you select a schedule, it cannot be changed during the NPPI period. You are allowed only one consecutive period of NPPI in a 12-month period.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

FMLA provides up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave for certain situations including if you need to care for your own serious medical condition. On its own, this leave is considered unpaid.

pay and benefits during leave

During paid leaves (including STD and PPL), your paycheck, health benefits, 401(k) deductions, and vacation accrual will continue. Your leave may impact other benefits such as variable compensation (VC) and Sales Incentive (SI), if eligible.

what to do...

Before leave

  • Let us know. Notify your manager and HR Business Partner at least 30 days in advance of your anticipated leave.
  • Submit your claim to Unum. Claims can be filed online, through the mobile app, or by phone. View more details on filing a claim. If you do not know the exact dates of your leave, provide your estimated start and end dates to Unum and be sure to confirm the actual dates for your leave closer to your leave start date.

Be on the lookout for communication from Unum

Unum will mail you additional details regarding your leave, notify you of required documents, and more. A Unum specialist may reach out if additional documentation is needed to support your claim. Be on the lookout to avoid any delays in processing your claim.

During leave

  • You will need to confirm the birth or adoption date and your last day worked with Unum. You can do this by calling Unum at 1-866-779-1054, or through the Unum app or portal. If applicable, submit required documentation for adoption, surrogacy, or foster placement to Unum. Please include your leave claim number on submissions. If you are taking Paid Parental Leave intermittently (minimum of one-week increments), you are required to report each increment to Unum.
  • Add your new child to your benefits. Visit the Self-Service portal and make changes within 30 days of birth. Be prepared to upload a birth certificate or the certificate of live birth from the hospital when you update your benefits.

    If your claim decision is pending with Unum, you may not receive pay while you are out of work until your claim has been approved. If approved, you will receive any retroactive pay due, if applicable, on your next scheduled paycheck.. If approved, you will receive any retroactive pay due, if applicable, on your next scheduled paycheck. While you are on an approved Leave of Absence, the HR Benefits team will coordinate your pay with payroll.
  • When you submit your claim or at least 30 days prior to your return-to-work date, notify Unum and your manager if you’ve chosen to use NPPI. You will need to provide the selected temporary, part-time work schedule that you plan to follow for your NPPI period.

Let us know if anything changes!

If you need to change your leave dates or need an extension to your leave, contact Unum, and be sure to notify your manager, your Human Resources Business Partner, and the HR Benefits team.

returning to work

We're looking forward to seeing you back!

  • Confirm your return-to-work date with your Unum claims specialist
  • Check in with your Human Resources Business Partner and your manager about your return to work
  • Confirm your return to work by contacting the HR Benefits Team at email
  • Confirm your return to work by contactingIf you have not already done so, inform Unum and your manager of your intent to use NPPI and your selected schedulethe HR Benefits Team at email

Planning to use the New Parent Phase-In Program (NPPI)?

Notify your manager and Unum claim specialist before your leave ends. You’ll need to select your temporary, part-time work schedule for the duration of the NPPI period:

  • 3 days per week at 60% of base pay
  • 4 days per week at 80% of base pay
  • Your pay will be adjusted based on the temporary part-time schedule selected

Important! After you select a schedule, it cannot be changed during the NPPI period.

important benefits to consider

We offers a variety of benefits which may have increased importance to you during this time:

For more information on your benefits, see the Benefits Guide or Benefits Bookshelf.

Am I Eligible For Leave Benefits Through My State?

Some states provide leave benefits that you may be entitled to. When you file a leave claim, Unum will let you know if you are eligible for any state benefits. If applicable, you’ll need to file a claim directly with your state. Company-provided leave benefits are generally offset by statutory benefits and run concurrently. You should review the Leaves of Absence and Other Time Off Policy for additional information.

How Does FMLA Interact with Leave Benefits?

The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for a variety of circumstances. You’re eligible for FMLA if you have worked for at least 12 months and have worked 1,250 hours during the previous 12-month period. FMLA is taken concurrently with other types of leave. If you have exhausted FMLA or are not yet eligible for FMLA, you may be eligible for job protection through Supplemental Medical Leave.

Questions about Leave Benefits? Visit the Frequently Asked Questions page for a list of common questions and answers. For all other questions, contact the HR Benefits Team at email