YOUR LIFE

I’m Having a Child

dummy
blank
Becoming a Mother

If you are becoming a mom due to birth of a child, there are a number of things you will need to know to ensure a smooth transition for time off and things you will want to consider regarding your benefits.

Short-Term Disability

Short-Term Disability (STD) benefits are payable for pregnancy/childbirth. You must be enrolled in STD in order to receive disability payments. Please note: you are allowed up to 6 weeks of STD leave for natural birth or 8 weeks of STD leave for caesarean birth.

Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Family Medical Leave is an unpaid leave that provides job protection for up to 12 weeks. FMLA is available for Baby Bonding for new moms and runs concurrent with available Short-Term Disability (STD). Once you transition from FMLA/STD to FMLA Baby Bonding leave, you’re required to use your available PTO while on leave, otherwise it will be unpaid FMLA. If you have no PTO, then the days absent will be unpaid. 

For more information on how to initiate an FMLA claim click here.

Note: According to the Department of Labor FMLA regulations, if both mother and father work for the same employer, FMLA for Baby Bonding is limited to a combined maximum of 12 weeks.

How does STD coordinate with FMLA?
Once you have exhausted available STD benefits, you can continue your leave under FMLA for Baby Bonding. Available PTO must be taken during FMLA baby bonding leave.

Maternity Leave
STD/FMLA

FMLA Baby Bonding Leave

Total Time Out from FMLA

6 to 8 weeks

+

4 to 6 weeks

=

Up to 12 weeks

For more information on Powell’s Leave of Absence Policy, go to Company Policies on Powell’s company intranet, Intersect.

Preparing for your time-off

Initiate a Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) claim with Sun Life at least 30 days prior to the expected birth, but no later than 7 days after the birth. Sun Life will send you a FMLA packet for you and your doctor to complete. If you are eligible for Short-Term Disability (STD) benefits, the Intake Specialist at Sun Life will also establish a STD claim.

After your child’s birth
  • Once your child is born, contact your Sun Life representative to report the birth of your new baby.
  • The birth of a child is considered a Qualifying Life Event that will allow you to enroll or make changes to your health benefits. If you wish to add your newborn to Powell’s health insurance, you must provide hospital documentation i.e. birth facts reflecting the child’s birth to the Benefits Department within 30 days of the birth. You may also want to consider enrolling in the Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DFSA) to utilize pre-tax dollars to pay for day care, and/or increase your contribution to the Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (HFSA).
  • To initiate your Life Event request in Oracle, login to Employee Benefits Self Service at powellbenefits.com and click on Report a Life Event.
Transitioning back to work
  • Confirm with your supervisor when you will return to work.
  • Contact Sun Life to report your return to work date.
  • Check with your local Human Resources Department to obtain information on the lactation room at your Division.
dummy
blank
Becoming a Father

If you are becoming a father due to birth of a child, there are a number of things you will need to know about taking time off as well as things you will want to consider regarding your benefits.

Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Family Medical Leave is unpaid leave that provides job protection for up to 12 weeks for your own serious health condition, to provide care for an immediate family member with a serious health condition, or for baby bonding after the birth of a child. You’re required to use your available PTO while on leave, otherwise it will be unpaid FMLA. If you have no PTO, then the days absent will be unpaid. FMLA for baby bonding can be taken within 12 months of the baby’s birth. Once you begin baby bonding FMLA, you must take continuous leave. Intermittent baby bonding FMLA is not allowed.

For more information on how to initiate an FMLA claim click here.

For more information on Powell’s Leave of Absence Policy, go to Company Policies on Powell’s company intranet, Intersect.

Preparing for your time-off

Initiate a Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) claim with Sun Life as soon as you know when you want to take the leave of absence, but no more than 7 days after the leave of absence begins. Sun Life will send you a FMLA packet to be completed and sent back to them.

After your child’s birth
  • The birth of a child is considered a Qualifying Life Event that will allow you to enroll or make changes to your health benefits. If you wish to add your newborn to Powell’s health insurance, you must provide hospital documentation i.e. birth facts reflecting the child’s birth to the Benefits Department within 30 days of the birth. You may also want to consider enrolling in the Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DFSA) to utilize pre-tax dollars to pay for day care, and/or increase your contribution to the Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (HFSA).
  • To initiate your Life Event request in Oracle, login to Employee Benefits Self Service at powellbenefits.com and click on Report a Life Event.
Transitioning back to work
  • Confirm with your supervisor when you will return to work.
  • Contact Sun Life to report your return to work date.
dummy
blank
Becoming an Adoptive or Foster Parent

If you are becoming a parent due to adoption or placement of a child for foster care, there are a number of things you will need to know about taking time off as well as things you will want to consider regarding your benefits.

Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Family Medical Leave is unpaid leave that provides job protection for up to 12 weeks for your own serious health condition, to provide care for an immediate family member with a serious health condition, or for bonding with a child placed in your care through adoption or foster care. Eligible employees may take FMLA leave before the actual placement if an absence from work is required for the placement to proceed. You’re required to use your available PTO while on leave, otherwise it will be unpaid FMLA. If you have no PTO, then the days absent will be unpaid. Leave for the bonding would need to be concluded within 12 months of the placement. Intermittent bonding FMLA is not allowed.

For more information on how to initiate an FMLA claim click here.

For more information on Powell’s Leave of Absence Policy, go to Company Policies on Powell’s company intranet, Intersect.

Preparing for your time-off

Initiate a Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) claim with Sun Life as soon as you know when you want to take the leave of absence, but no more than 7 days after the leave of absence begins. Sun Life will send you a FMLA packet to be completed and sent back to them.

After your adoption or placement of a child
  • The adoption or placement of a child is considered a Qualifying Life Event that will allow you to enroll or make changes to your health benefits. If you wish to add your child to Powell’s health insurance, you must provide an adoption certificate or court documents stating you as the legal guardian or foster parent within 30 days of the placement of the child. You may also want to consider enrolling in the Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DFSA) to utilize pre-tax dollars to pay for day care, and/or increase your contribution to the Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (HFSA).
  • To initiate your Life Event request in Oracle login into Benefits Self-Service at powellbenefits.com and click on Start Benefit Election Change.
Transitioning back to work
  • Confirm with your supervisor when you will return to work.
  • Contact Sun Life to report your return to work date.