University at Buffalo (UB) 
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Administrative Services GatewayPublished September 14, 2023
New York State has announced a new Paid Parental Leave (PPL) benefit for State UUP employees effective April 11, 2023.
Paid parental leave (PPL) allows eligible employees to take leave with pay, without charge to accruals for up to 12 weeks for the following qualifying events:
PPL may begin on the date of birth, adoption or foster care placement, or any time thereafter within 7 months of the qualifying event. PPL ends 7 months from the date of the qualifying event.
PPL cannot be used intermittently and must be taken in a block of time. It can be taken in a portion of or for the full 12 weeks available, but once an employee returns from PPL, use of this benefit is no longer available.
All other leave benefits including use of accruals, Paid Family Leave (PFL), and the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), remain unchanged and available for use when applicable. PPL may not be used to extend employment beyond the point it would otherwise end by operation of law, rule, or regulation.
Employees must meet the following eligilbility requirements:
A full-time academic employee who has completed one semester on the payroll is eligible.
A part-time academic employee who is currently on payroll or assigned to teach, has completed at least one semester teaching 6 credits or credit equivalences, and who was on the payroll teaching any number of credits or credit equivalents during the semester immediately preceding the need for leave is eligible.
If a part-time academic employee has not taught or is not scheduled to teach at least 6 credits or credit equivalences in a semester for more than 18 months after gaining eligibility, they must re-establish eligibility as provided above.
Paid Parental Leave for UUP employees is available retroactively to April 11, 2023.
If a qualifying event occurred within seven months before the April 11, 2023 effective date of PPL for UUP employees, an eligible employee may use Paid Parental Leave, however the employee’s use of Paid Parental Leave must end within seven months of the qualifying event.
Contact Benefit Services regarding your leave of absence at ub-hr-leaves@buffalo.edu.
Paid Parental Leave is available for use once every 12-month period.
Paid Parental Leave for UUP employees is available retroactively to April 11, 2023.
If a qualifying event occurred within the seven months before the April 11, 2023 effective date of PPL for UUP employees, an employee may use PPL, however the employee’s use of PPL must end within seven months of the qualifying event.
Contact Benefit Services regarding your leave of absence at ub-hr-leaves@buffalo.edu.
Paid Parental Leave may be used in combination with all other paid and unpaid child care leave benefits where applicable. Child care leave benefits, including use of accruals, Paid Family Leave (PFL), and/or leave without pay during the 7 month child care leave period and provisions under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) remain unchanged.
Usage of accruals cannot run concurrently with PPL and may be taken at an appropriate time (either before or after) in addition to PPL.
Usage of Paid Family Leave (PFL) cannot run concurrently with PPL and may be taken at an appropriate time (either before or after) in addition to PPL.
Voluntary Reduction in Work Schedule (VRWS) agreements must be suspended on the first day of the payroll period in which an employee begins their PPL.
Paid Parental Leave cannot be used intermittently and must be taken in a block of time.
Employees do not have to take the full 12 weeks, but once they return from Paid Parental Leave, they can no longer use this leave.
If both parents are employed by a New York State Agency, both parents may use Paid Parental Leave, even if they work for the same appointing authority.
You will not earn monthly leave accruals or observe holidays while on PPL.
While on PPL, you will continue to be covered by your existing NYSHIP health insurance. Health Insurance premiums will continue to be withheld from your paycheck.
While on PPL, you will continue to receive retirement service credit or contributions based on your plan enrollment. Retirement contributions (if applicable) will continue to be withheld from your paycheck.
State Benefits
Human Resources
Phone: 716-645-7777
Email: ub-hr-benefits@buffalo.edu