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Personnel

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use annual and sick leave before qualifying for the paid maternity leave benefit?

No. The law does not require employees to exhaust their sick or annual leave prior to being awarded catastrophic leave for maternity purposes.

Does FMLA and Paid Maternity Leave have to run concurrently?

If an employee is eligible for both catastrophic leave for maternity purposes and family medical leave for maternity purposes, the two shall run concurrently.

Can my spouse and I take 12 weeks of FMLA for the birth of our child?

No. Spouses, who are both, employed by the state are entitled to a total of twelve weeks of leave (rather than twelve weeks each) for the birth, adoption, or placement of their child.

What kind of documentation do I need to show that I had a baby to qualify for the four weeks of paid maternity leave?

For the birth of a biological child, acceptable proof includes a hospital announcement with the mother’s name and/or the biological child’s name, hospital discharge papers with the mother’s name and the biological child’s name, or a birth certificate of the biological child.

Does the adopted child have to be 12 weeks or younger for me to qualify for the 4 weeks of paid maternity leave?

No. The first 12 weeks requirement begins after the placement of an adoptive child in the employee’s home, not after the birth of the adoptive child.

Are there any other leave benefits available to me once my child starts school?

State employees are entitled a total of eight hours of leave per calendar year, regardless of the number of children (pre-K through grade 12), for the purpose of engaging in and traveling to and from the educational activities or interscholastic activities. The Child Educational Activities Leave (CEAL) is a use it or lose it benefit and is applicable to the following: natural child, adopted child, step child, foster child, and grandchild.

How long do I have to add my new baby to my health insurance plan?

In the case of a birth, adoption, or placement for adoption (i.e., qualifying event), employees have 60 days from the date of the qualifying event to enroll his or her dependents into their health insurance plan. Go to transform.ar.gov/employee-benefits/ to complete a change form.

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