Guidelines for Pregnancy Disability Leave

The following text is intended as a guideline only and is not intended to alter, modify, and/or abridge the terms and conditions of employment set forth in the UC-UAW collective bargaining agreement, effective October 17, 2016 through September 30, 2020. Section 12-C of the agreement 

These guidelines apply to postdocs in all title codes: postdoctoral scholar-employee (3252), postdoctoral scholar-fellow (3253), postdoctoral scholar-paid direct (3254), postdoctoral scholar-employee NEX (3255), and interim postdoctoral scholar-employee (3256).

All postdocs are automatically enrolled in a short-term disability (STD) plan under the UC Postdoctoral Scholars Benefits Plan.

STD leave may be used for pregnancy disability leave with the following provisions:

  • There is a waiting period of seven calendar days before STD payments begin. Postdocs may use accrued sick leave or paid personal time off (PTO) during this waiting period.
  • The Benefits Plan pays 70% of the first $1,429 of the postdoc’s weekly pre-disability earnings.
  • The STD benefit for pregnancy disability automatically allows a total of four months of leave.
  • If extended pregnancy disability leave is needed beyond the initial four months, additional medical documentation is required to prolong the STD benefit. STD payments will be made only as long as the postdoc’s physician feels she cannot return to work and when medical documentation is provided – on a weekly basis –  supporting the need for additional leave. Disability leave is available for up to 180 days.
  • If the postdoc wishes to remain on leave longer than her physician deems medically necessary, she may use any remaining paid PTO for additional days. Once the paid PTO is used up, any further leave would be unpaid and would need to be negotiated with the department.
  • Postdocs receive 24 working days of paid PTO per year, beginning on the first day of their appointment and on annual reappointment dates in accordance with the UC-UAW collective bargaining agreement.

For further information, including details about short-term and voluntary long-term disability plans, as well as current rates for coverage, please refer to the Gallagher Benefit Services website. 

Consult the complete text of the UC-UAW Collective Bargaining Agreement, which guides leave policy at UCSF and all UC campuses. Article 12 of the contract contains information about pregnancy, parental and other leaves.