CWRU has implemented a new human resources policy—developed with input from staff and faculty—that gives eligible employees who legally adopt a child up to six weeks paid time off.

The adoption leave is dependent on available unused income protection and discretionary day balances, and the employee must be the primary caregiver. If the employee does not have six weeks income protection and discretionary days available, unpaid adoption leave may be taken in accordance with the current policy for personal medical, family medical and parenting absences and leaves.

"Human Resources and University administration are pleased to see this addition to the overall HR program," said Earl McLane, associate vice president for human resources. "As most employees are aware, unpaid leave has been available for adoption purposes for quite some time. This new policy now adds adoption as a use for paid time off under the income protection program.

"We are pleased to offer this family friendly benefit at this time," he added.

The new adoption policy states that if the other parent or domestic partner also is a University employee, he or she can use up to eight days annually of unused paid income protection balance as adoption leave.

If both parents work for the University and are eligible for adoption leave, their combined paid time off may not exceed the six weeks adoption leave plus eight days parenting leave, according to the policy. Student employees and temporary employees are not eligible for the benefit.

For details, go to Human Resources Web site at http://www.cwru.edu/finadmin/humres/humres.html.