Periods of disability related to pregnancy and/or childbirth are treated like any other disability.  Generally, if you give birth without complications you would be eligible for six weeks of paid disability leave with benefits under New York State's Short-term Disability.

Once you notify the College of your pregnancy, we will request an indication of when you expect to go on disability in order to plan staffing during your leave.  You would need to complete both the Short-term Disability and the FMLA leave forms. Should medical complications arise before or after the birth, you would be eligible for additional paid disability leave under the Short-term Disability Policy for reasons of medical necessity as determined by a medical physician, not to exceed six consecutive months.  For the purpose of both Short-term Disability and the FMLA, in determining disability due to pregnancy and/or childbirth, your doctor's medical opinion will govern the length of your covered leave, before and after delivery. 

If you are a Faculty member who anticipates disability due to pregnancy, you should promptly notify the Provost and Department Chair of the anticipated disability date and consult with them to work out a plan for covering courses during the affected semester.  If you are an Administrators or Staff you should notify your immediate supervisor.  All employees need to contact the Office of Human Resources in order to obtain the necessary Short-term Disability and FMLA forms.

Should you opt to use the childcare leave benefits of the Family Medical Leave Act after your paid six weeks of Short-term Disability, you could be out for an additional six weeks. Whether you receive any compensation for those additional six weeks, depends on whether or not you have accumulated accrued time benefits (vacation, sick, personal days) available.  Since the FMLA leave and Short-term Disability Leave run concurrently, you would be expected to return to work no later than 12 weeks after the birth of your child.

As a Faculty member, you would be expected to return and carry out administrative duties if returning to the classroom is not considered advisable.