Family Leave

The following is an overview on the types of leaves employees may use for family-related reasons.

Leaves of Absences for Family Leave

Parental Care, Adoption, or Infant Care leaves are leaves of absences available following the birth, adoption, or fostering of a child. This leave is available to the biological parents, parents of legally adopted or foster children and others in parental care relationships, to take care of a child.

This leave may be taken for a set period of time (e.g., six weeks), as a reduced schedule (e.g., only working 28 hours per week) or intermittently (sporadic absences).

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Employee's may take a leave of absence to help care for a sick family member who is ill or injured.

A leave of absence to care for a sick family member may be taken for a set period of time (e.g., six weeks), as a reduced schedule (e.g., only working 28 hours per week) or intermittently (sporadic absences).

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A Military/Caregiver leave is a leave of absence to care for a family member who is a current service member or veteran with a serious injury or illness.

This leave may be taken for a set period of time (e.g. six weeks), as a reduced schedule (e.g. only working 28 hours per week) or intermittently (sporadic absences).

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A Military/Exigency leave is a leave of absence for any qualifying exigency arising when a family member is deployed abroad on active military service.

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A personal leave is an unpaid leave of absence for personal reasons and is generally used in situations not covered by other types of University or federal/state/local laws or additional time provided beyond federal/state/local laws. Typical reasons for granting personal leave include: illness in the family, education or other compelling personal need. 

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Important Notice

Important Notice

The Leaves of Absence section is intended only to provide information and guidance to departments for processing leaves for Columbia University Officers, staff and union employees. The writers of the content have exercised their best efforts to ensure accuracy of the information, but accuracy is not guaranteed. If there are any discrepancies between the information on the website, verbal representations and the Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) or applicable University policies, the CBAs and applicable policies will always govern. The information is subject to change from time to time. The information contained on the website is intended to provide examples and does not replace the CBAs or University policies.