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Maternity Leave of Absence

Maternity Leave of Absence

Having a baby? Congratulations! If you do not qualify for a Paid Parental Leave, you may be eligible for a maternity leave of absence which provides new mothers with time off after the birth of their child or if a mother needs to be off work due to complications of pregnancy. Depending on the type of delivery, you may be entitled to six or eight weeks off work.

Before baby's arrival:

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    • Once you submit your application and the supporting medical certification, the DMU will send you:
      • a letter detailing your current FMLA entitlements
      • a letter approving or denying your leave  
        Note: Allow 5-7 business days from receipt of documentation for processing.
    • If you are enrolled in Long Term Disability (LTD), you must contact Sedgwick at 800-324-9901 to apply for disability benefits.
    • Until your leave is approved or denied, remember to follow your agency's call-in procedure.

  • After baby's arrival:

    • Fax one of the following to the DMU at 517-241-6898:
      • Verification of Delivery Form, or
      • Statement on letterhead/Rx pad from your treating physician indicating type and date of delivery 
        Note: You will receive an updated approval letter with actual leave start and return to work dates.
    • Enroll baby in benefits:
      • Call the MI HR Service Center within 31 days of the birth at 877-766-6447, option 1.
      • Fax or mail a copy of the birth certificate to the MI HR Service Center
        • Fax: 517-241-5892
        • Mail: MI HR Service Center, P O Box 30002, Lansing, MI 48909
    • Planning on taking time off after your maternity leave?
      • Apply for a Parental Leave after your maternity leave is completed.
    • FMLA allows eligible employees up to 12 workweeks in any 12 months for;
      • the birth and care of a newborn,
      • for the placement of a child, or the adoption or foster of a child,
      • to care for a family member (child, spouse, parent) with a serious health condition,
      • or for an employee's own serious health condition.
    • You must apply for FMLA if you will be off work for 5 or more consecutive calendar days due to a serious health condition.
    • FMLA is unpaid, however, during an FMLA-approved leave:
      • you may use leave credits to receive pay during your time off
        • Sick leave credits must be exhausted prior to use of other leave credits
      • If you have no leave credits, you may take the time unpaid
      • If you're enrolled in LTD, you may apply for disability benefits by contacting Sedgwick at 800-324-9901.
    • While you are on payroll, you will continue to pay your portion of insurance premiums. Once you are off payroll (no longer using leave credits), FMLA will continue your healthcare.
    • If you do not qualify for FMLA, you may be entitled to a non-FMLA leave under your collective bargaining agreement or Civil Service Rules.
    • Not sure if you qualify for FMLA? 
      • Contact the DMU at 877-443-6362, option 1.
      • Visit the Department of Labor website at www.dol.gov/whd/fmla.
    • Until your leave is approved or denied, you are responsible for:
      • Following your agency's call-in procedure
      • Entering your time into SIGMA with the comment "Pending FMLA Approval" 
      • If you are not yet approved for a leave and have no available leave to cover your time, select the event type "LOST" in SIGMA
    • Once your leave is approved, your supervisor is responsible for entering your time as you have indicated on your leave application:
      • FMSL - sick leave credits while on leave
      • FMAL - annual leave credits while on leave
      • FMLA - no leave credits are being used - time is being covered only under the FMLA
      • FMBL - BLT (Banked Leave Time) credits while on leave
      • FMHL - holiday credits used while on leave
      • FMCM - comp time credits used while on leave
      • FMD1 - deferred (1981) hours used while on leave
      • FMD2 - deferred (1982) hours used while on leave
    • Questions on entering your time?

  • Continuing insurance benefits is dependent upon multiple factors:

    • Your sick leave balance and other leave usage,
    • Your FMLA entitlement, and 
    • Enrollment in Long Term Disability (LTD).

    For details on how these factors affect insurance benefits, see the FAQs or contact the DMU at 877-443-6362, option 1.

    Some things to consider:

    • Your health, dental, vision, and life insurances continue while using leave credits to cover your time off. Insurance premiums will continue to be deducted.
    • Once you are no longer using leave credits, the Employee Benefits Division (EBD) will mail you an Application to Continue Insurances. You must select the insurance plans you wish to continue while on leave and return the application to EBD.
    • If you are enrolled in Long Term Disability, you must contact Sedgwick at 800-324-9901 to apply for disability benefits.

     

    • To return to work immediately following your maternity leave you must submit a medical release from your doctor, allowing you to return to work. This may be written on your health care provider's letterhead/Rx pad, or you may print and fax a DMU Return to Work Form. 
    • If your doctor has given work restrictions, the DMU and your agency will evaluate if the essential job functions are compatible with any work restrictions. Keep in mind that all restrictions must be approved before returning to work.
    • Contact the DMU on the day of your return to work so they can close your leave and place you back in active pay status.

  • You can visit our FAQs to find out information on timekeeping, continuing insurances, returning to work, and more.

Phone: 877-443-6362 Fax: 517-241-6898

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