Parental Leave
Taking Parental Leave to Welcome a New Child
As part of USC’s commitment to our Unifying Value of well-being, the university supports faculty and staff using available leaves and benefits to maximize family time when a new child joins a family. The information below explains these provisions but note that federal (i.e., Family and Medical Leave Act) and state (i.e., California Family Rights Act, Pregnancy Disability Leave) regulations governing pregnancy and parentals leaves and benefits are complex and frequently change.
Disability Options
Disability insurance helps to replace income when you are medically certified as unable to work due to an injury or medical condition (such as pregnancy). Before planning a parental leave, please visit USC’s disability webpage for information on all the disability options available to you, including USC Basic, State Disability, and supplemental disability.
Steps for Taking Parental Leave
USC partners with Broadspire to manage the parental leave process.
Timing | What You Need to Do |
When you begin preparing for your parental leave | Understand your parental leave benefits:
|
At least 30 days in advance of your parental leave | Notify your supervisor or department chair* of your intended leave, preferably as soon as possible, through written notice that includes the following:
Notify your leave administrator (staff) by contacting the HR Service Center or Faculty Affairs Partner of your intended leave
*For Faculty: Per the Faculty Handbook, absences of two consecutive weeks (14 calendar/10 workdays) or more require the faculty member and the chair or dean to provide a written plan for the discharge of individual faculty responsibilities, with notice to the Office of the Provost. |
At least 30 days in advance of your parental leave | After notifying your supervisor or department chair, call Broadspire at 800-495-2315 to file a claim*.
Once the child is born, contact Broadspire and your leave administrator/Faculty Affairs Partner again to inform them of the birth.
*If you are enrolled in California State Disability, file a claim with the State of California Employment Development Department. |
Upon receipt of your Broadspire claim packet | Complete and send in your claim packet to receive timely benefits.
|
Following your child’s birth or placement | Call Broadspire again at 800-495-2315 to confirm the delivery/placement date of your child and initiate Disability and/or Paid Family Leave payments.
|
Within 30 days of your child’s birth or placement | Update your benefits, as necessary.
|
To learn more about USC’s Staff Parental Leave Program, view the Staff Parental Leave Policy here. For any other questions about parental leave to support the birth or placement of your child, please email the HR Service Center by email at uschr@usc.edu or call 213-821-8100.