Maternity/Paternity Leave
Please contact popahelp@popa.org for questions and updates on the maternity/paternity policy.
The USPTO Maternity/Paternity Program permits a parent to use any combination of annual leave, sick leave (where appropriate), compensatory time, credit hours and leave without pay for the first 6 months after the birth or adoption of a child. This time off can be used intermittently or continuously during the 6 months.
Many parents are now using the Paid Parental Leave. Paid Parental Leave is a form of FMLA leave. Employees need to be aware of FMLA use so they have time available to use the Paid Parental Leave.
An additional 12 weeks beyond the 6 months may be used under the Family Medical Leave Act (for employees with at least one year of Federal Government service) for up to 12 months after the birth or adoption, if the entire 12 weeks of FMLA has not been used previously, whether as LWOP or Paid Parental Leave. An employee may earn and have a balance of up to 160 hours for maternity/paternity purposes. Rest periods are available when a health provider requires an employee to have a rest period for a medical complication. These periods are recurring brief absences of up to one hour per day.
POPA Maternity/Paternity Help Guide for Probationary Employees
POPA Maternity/Paternity Help Guide for Non-Probationary Employees