Parental Leave

This is the policy for employees in the US.

Overview

You are eligible for both paid and unpaid parental leave after the birth or adoption of a child. The paid and unpaid leave can be combined for up to 6 months of total time off. thoughtbot provides 6 weeks paid parental leave for all new parents. Birthing parents receive additional paid leave.

Non-birthing Parents:

  • 6 weeks paid Parental Leave: Non-birthing Parent paid at 100% salary

Birthing Parents:

  • 12 weeks paid Parental Leave: Birthing Parent paid at 100% salary
  • 4-6 weeks disability leave for birthing parents paid at 60% salary

Birthing Parents

Birthing parents receive 12 weeks paid Parental Leave: Birthing Parent paid at 100% salary.

Birthing parents receive 4 weeks of short term disability for a vaginal birth and 6 weeks of short term disability for a C-section if leave is taken immediately following the birth.

Parental Leave Details

If you live in a state with a separate system for paid family leave, thoughtbot will pay you directly for the portion of your weekly rate not covered by that state system.

You may use available sick days or vacation days after using your parental leave paid by thoughtbot. After exhausting paid options, you may take unpaid parental leave for the remainder of the 6 months.

Parental leave may begin up to six months after the birth or adoption of the child. However, short­ term disability is only available to someone who gave birth if the leave is taken immediately after the birth. Employees seeking parental leave must provide a minimum of 30 days advance notice of their intent to take parental leave and the anticipated date of their return, unless it is impracticable to do so, or if the leave is taken for an emergency. In such case, you are required to notify us as soon as possible.

Benefits while on Parental Leave

Vacation days continue to accrue during both paid and unpaid parental leave.

We will continue to provide medical insurance coverage during your leave. The company will continue to cover medical insurance premiums per company policy for up to 6 months. If you were already enrolled in dental, thoughtbot also will cover your dental premium for up to 6 months.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, if you decide to not return to work, or choose to leave the company within 6 months of your leave, then where allowed, you must pay the company back for the medical insurance and dental premiums that the company paid during your leave.

Life insurance, disability insurance and 401(k) matching are tied to salary. These benefits are only active while you are being paid by thoughtbot.

You will not receive performance reviews during the period of leave. If you are on parental leave during annual salary review, your new rate will go into effect when you return.

Other Employment

While on leave, employees may not apply for unemployment insurance, and should not take other employment.

Please see additional details on the Work Leave page.