Prenatal Leave Policy
Policy Statement
Columbia University provides up to 20 hours of paid prenatal leave for eligible employees to attend prenatal medical appointments and procedures.
This policy applies to all employees, including Officers of Instruction (Faculty), Officers of Research, Officers of the Libraries, Officers of Administration, Non-Union Support Staff, Casuals and Variable Hours Officers. Staff covered by a collective bargaining agreement are governed by the provisions of their respective contract.
This policy applies regardless of the number of hours an employee works, however, this leave is only available to employees directly receiving the prenatal health services. It is not available to spouses, partners or other support persons of a pregnant person.
All Human Resource staff, supervisors and managers.
New York State Labor Law § 196-b (New York State’s Paid Sick Leave law).
Effective January 1, 2025, employees are entitled to up to 20 hours of paid prenatal leave during any 52-week calendar period to attend necessary medical appointments related to their pregnancy, including doctor visits, screenings, and diagnostic tests. This includes fertility treatment or care appointments (including in vitro fertilization) and end-of-pregnancy care appointments but does not include post-natal or postpartum appointments.
The 52-week period is measured forward from the date an employee first uses paid prenatal leave. In the event of multiple pregnancies in a single 52-week period, only a total of 20 hours of paid prenatal leave time may be taken across all pregnancies.
Prenatal leave is available in addition to, and may be taken separately from, paid sick time or any other paid leave available to employees.
Employees can use paid prenatal leave in 1-hour increments. Employees will be paid at their regular rate of pay for time taken as paid prenatal leave.
Prenatal leave does not accrue beyond the 52-week period and unused prenatal leave is not paid out by the University upon termination.
Employees should notify their local Human Resources representative in advance and when practicable of any planned prenatal leave.
Columbia University will not require employees to submit medical records or documents or disclose confidential information about their health condition(s) as a requirement to use paid prenatal leave.