Maternity Leave
CA Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) provides employees up to 17 1/3 weeks of leave for an employee who is disabled by pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions.
The federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides 12 weeks of unpaid job and group health benefit protection for the birth of a child, if eligible.
The California Family Rights Act (CFRA) provides additional 12 weeks of unpaid job and group health benefit protection for bonding with newborn child, if eligible.
Tristar, the university leave of absence partner, administers the medical certification process for PDL, FMLA and CFRA leave requests.
Non-California employees should contact leaves@usfca.edu to determine if their state provides a state required leave program in addition to FMLA.
University benefits will continue during PDL/FMLA/CFRA. Employee’s benefit contributions will continue to be deducted from their USF pay.
All California employees, except student employees, are required to participate in the university’s Voluntary Disability Insurance (VDI) plan or the CA State Disability plan (SDI). The VDI plan provides disability benefits and Paid Family Leave provides baby bonding benefits.
Non-California employees, should contact leaves@usfca.edu to determine if their state offers a state required disability program.
Tristar, the University's leave of absence partner, administers and certifies eligibility for VDI disability benefits, Paid Family Leave benefits and San Francisco Paid Parental Leave benefits. Tristar will mail or direct deposit VDI and PFL payments. USF pays SF PPLO benefits.
Pre-Partum Disability: Typically, 1-4 weeks before expected delivery date.
Post-Partum Disability: Typically, 6-8 weeks after delivery date (8 weeks for a C-section).
For 2025, VDI provides a disability benefit of 70% of weekly salary up to $1,681 per week. Employees may use sick/vacation hours to supplement the disability benefit.
There is a 7-calendar day waiting period before VDI pays any benefits; sick/vacation may be used during this time.
Employees will receive sick/vacation pay on regular university pay dates. The USF Leave Manager will calculate and enter sick/vacation hours into Workday.
If eligible, FMLA runs during disability period.
USFFA Faculty can refer to their CBA for information about Maternity Leave.
Once VDI disability benefits end, eligible employees may begin 12 weeks of CFRA/baby bonding leave.
CFRA provides 12 weeks for baby bonding. Eight of the 12 weeks of baby bonding are partially paid by Paid Family Leave (PFL) and, if eligible, San Francisco Paid Parental Leave (PPLO).
In 2025, PFL provides a benefit of 70% of weekly salary, up to $1,681 per week. PPLO requires USF to supplement the approximately 30% difference up to $721 per week. If not eligible for PPLO, vacation may be used to supplement the PFL benefit.
To be eligible for San Francisco Paid Parental Leave, you must be employed by USF for 6 months, work at least 8 hours a week in San Francisco, and work at least 40% of total hours in San Francisco. Employees who accrue vacation can use vacation hours for the four remaining weeks of CFRA/baby bonding, or go unpaid.
Employees who accrue vacation, can use vacation hours for the four remaining weeks of CFRA/baby bonding, or go unpaid.
The 12 weeks of CFRA/baby bonding must be taken in two-week increments; shorter increments will be allowed on two occasions.
The 12 weeks of CFRA/baby bonding must be taken within 12 months of birth.
Employees will receive PPLO or vacation pay on regular university pay dates. The USF Leave Manager will calculate and enter PPLO and vacation hours into Workday.
The University is committed to supporting pregnant employees. Under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), University of San Francisco will provide reasonable accommodations to employees with known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, unless the accommodation will cause the University of San Francisco, an undue hardship.
“Reasonable accommodations” are changes to the work environment or the way things are usually done. Examples include the ability to sit or drink water; receive closer parking; have flexible hours; receive appropriately sized uniforms and safety apparel; receive additional break time to use the bathroom, eat, and rest; take leave or time off to recover from childbirth; and be excused from strenuous activities and/or activities that involve exposure to compounds not safe for pregnancy.
Employees requesting a reasonable accommodation should promptly notify their supervisor and the Leave Manager at leaves@usfca.edu.
You may add your new child to USF benefits within 30 days of birth or adoption via USFWorks. Birth or adoption documentation will need to be uploaded.
There are three Lactation Rooms on main campus: UC Room #329, Zief Law Library, and LM Rossi Room #105. If working at another campus location, please reach out to leaves@usfca.edu
To request use of a lactation room, please submit a completed and signed Lactation Accommodation Request Form to leaves@usfca.edu at least five (5) business days in advance before the start of the request. The form is to be signed by both Employee and Supervisor. Employee and Supervisor will receive written confirmation of approved schedule.
The lactation rooms are scheduled in 30-minute increments. Please indicate on the request form the Days and Times you wish to schedule the room. For example: Mondays 10-10:30am & 4-4:30pm. Your requested times are not guaranteed.
Your One Card will be updated to provide swipe access to the lactation room.
If you need to change or cancel your scheduled use of lactation room, please email leaves@usfca.edu as soon as possible.
New parents are eligible for the USF Childcare Subsidy. Apply for the subsidy within the first 30 days of returning to work after childbirth, adoption, or foster placement.
USF’s employee assistance program is administered by Concern. Concern offers employees and their families Parent Coaching, In-the-Moment Support, Work-Life Resources and more.
The USF Parents’ Group lets you connect with your fellow employees about all things parent including daycare, preschool, camps, etc.