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What is Maternity Leave?

Pregnant woman sitting at a table - Leaves Support What is Maternity Leave?

Important Note: Any unpaid leave of absence, including PFML, may affect salary placement, retirement service credits, and SEBB eligibility. Refer to your collective bargaining agreement (CBA) or your Human Resources strand specialist if you have questions about salary placement.

Maternity leave allows a staff member to use accumulated, paid sick leave for the period of actual disability attributable to pregnancy or childbirth. Male employees are entitled to the same leave that is available to female employees upon the birth or adoption of the employee's child.

Family Bonding leave may be available to employees who are eligible for Federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and/or state Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML). 

The federal Family and Medical Leave Act provides eligible employees job and benefit protection during an approved leave for qualifying family and medical reasons. The protection does not provide for compensation. Often, employees will utilize their own paid leave balances (sick, personal, etc.) to continue to receive compensation during their period of FMLA leave. In Washington State, Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) is a state-run insurance program that provides eligible employees with paid time off for qualifying events. Employees could opt to utilize this pay during a period of FMLA protection rather than utilizing their own district paid leave benefits. 

Beginning January 1, 2026, updates to Washington’s PFML law goes into effect that eliminates “stacking” (using one leave after the other) of FMLA and PFML. Under this change, the district will implement concurrent use of these leaves. This means FMLA and PFML will run at the same time, providing up to a combined maximum of 12 weeks (for one qualifying event) or 16 weeks (for two different qualifying events) of job-protected leave under both laws.

Leave counted against any permitted period of employment protection under the PFML program and the FMLA, and the use of unpaid leave does not affect your eligibility for benefits in the PFML Program.

Maternity Leave Timeline

  • The period of disability shall extend from the date of birth for a period of not more than 60 days, unless an actual period of disability which begins prior to the date of birth or continues beyond 60 days is otherwise verified in writing by the employee's physician. 
  • If the employee giving birth is eligible for Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML), they may choose to apply for PFML Medical/Pregnancy Disability for payment during their maternity leave. PFML grants up to 6 weeks for pregnancy disability. 

Is Maternity Leave Paid?

  • Employees may use accumulated, paid district leave during maternity leave. When accumulated district leave is exhausted, leave without pay will be granted for the remainder of actual disability. 
    • During any unpaid portion of leave of absence, the staff member may pay the premiums for any district insurance plans to keep coverage in effect for the employee and her family.
  • If the employee is eligible for Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML), they may choose to use PFML Medical/Pregnancy Disability for payment during their unpaid district maternity leave. PFML pays 90% up to a weekly maximum of $1,542

Family Bonding Timeline

  • If the employee is eligible, FMLA will allow the employee to extend their leave for up to a total of 12 workweeks using district accrued leave or unpaid leave.
  • If the employee is eligible, Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) allows for 12 weeks of family bonding paid at 90% up to a weekly maximum of $1,542. If FMLA eligible, the FMLA and PFML will run concurrently, not consecutively.

Maternity Disability and Family Bonding Maximum Leave Allowable

If the employee is:

  • Not Eligible for FMLA or PFML: The actual period of disability as determined by the medical provider (usually 6-8 weeks).
  • FMLA Eligible: 12 weeks within a 12-month period.
  • PFML Eligible: 16 weeks combining Medical Disability and Family/Baby Bonding (up to 18 weeks if C-section or complications).
  • FMLA & PFML Eligible: 16 weeks maximum, concurrent FMLA and PFML including medical disability and family/baby bonding using district accrued leave, unpaid leave and/or PFML (up to 18 weeks if C-section or complications).

More Information

Maternity/Family Leave Request Forms

Leave forms can be found HERE.

For additional questions, please contact Cindi Battram, the Leaves Specialist. She would be happy to assist you. She can be reached at 253-931-4916 or by email at cbattram@auburn.wednet.edu.