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Birth/Adoption Parental Leave

Northwestern University supports a culture that recognizes the importance of family and the challenges of working parents. Since 2015 , the University offers two programs: Birth/Adoption Parental Leave (BAPL); and the Adoption Assistance Reimbursement Program.

Birth/Adoption Parental Leave (BAPL) is four weeks of paid leave for parents with a newborn or newly adopted child. This leave of absence allows for bonding time between the parent(s) and the child and is applied after the disability period for Maternity Leaves. 

Eligibility

Service. One year of continuous, full-time benefit-eligible service no later than when the approved BAPL would commence is required. The continuous, full-time benefit-eligible service must be immediately prior to the leave date.  Part-time benefit-eligible and non-benefits eligible employment types are not eligible for BAPL.

Provisions

Holding the job

Four weeks of paid leave will be available to mothers and fathers who hold regular benefits eligible positions. Only one parental leave is allowed in a rolling 12-month period. Employees eligible for this leave of absence must complete the BAPL period within the first 6-months of the birth or adoption of the child. BAPL can be taken in one four-week increment or two two-week increments. 

"Parent" includes biological, adoptive, foster-care placement or legal guardianship of a minor child (i.e., under the age of 18). If both parents are employed at Northwestern University, they may take a BAPL leave concurrently.

The disability period generally allows for up to six to eight weeks of paid leave (extended sick time). BAPL allows up to an additional four weeks of paid leave. When combined, the disability period and the BAPL may total 10-12 weeks of paid leave for new mothers.

At the end of the 6-months following the birth/adoption of the child, any unused BAPL leave will be forfeited.

How to apply

Starting January 1, 2025, Northwestern will transition the administration of leave benefits to MetLife. Faculty and staff with a leave beginning before January 1, 2025, will continue to work with The Hartford for their Extended Sick Time (EST), Long-term Disability (LTD), and Birth/Adoption Parental Leave (BAPL) claims. Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and Military Leave claims will be tracked by MetLife starting January 1, 2025, even if your leave began before this date.

New Leave Starting Before January 1, 2025

The faculty and staff member must contact The Hartford to apply for FMLA and/or EST benefits as soon as possible. Instructional faculty inform their Dean's office for academic planning. You can reach The Hartford at 1-888-541-7283. View the step-by-step process of applying for a leave. Once your claim has been assigned to a claim administrator at The Hartford, you can request to speak to this person directly by scheduling an appointment online. The Hartford will manage your EST/BAPL even if the benefit is paid in calendar year 2025. You will not need to contact MetLife unless you need FMLA in 2025 that has not been approved by The Hartford by the end of this calendar year. 

New Leave Starting After January 1, 2025

Because your leave request begins after January 1, 2025, you will need to make the initial leave request with MetLife, even if you have already contacted The Hartford.  MetLife will not begin the intake process for new Northwestern leave requests until December 16, 2024, at 9 am CST.  You can contact MetLife on or after this date at 1-800-396-8876.  The online portal will not be available until January 2025. The requirement that your leave claim cannot be filed until mid-December will in no way impact how long it takes MetLife to review and process your claim.

Currently on Leave

For those currently on leave, if you need additional FMLA and/or EST/BAPL beyond what’s approved, please work with The Hartford before the transition to request an extension. The Hartford will manage your EST/BAPL even if the benefit is paid in calendar year 2025. You will not need to contact MetLife unless you need FMLA in 2025 that has not been approved by The Hartford by the end of this calendar year. 

Additional information