Nonexempt Employees
Beginning Jan. 1, 2021, all leaves will be administered by Brandeis' leave administration partner, The Standard. This means that there will be some changes to your time off and leave benefits, as well as the leave request, reporting and tracking process.
Here is a snapshot of what is changing in 2021:
| Benefit in 2020 | Change in 2021 |
|---|---|
| Sick time | Can accrue one sick day per month up to 12 days per year. These days will not carry over. |
| Paid time off | No change |
| Extended illness benefit | Extended illness benefit will be replaced with a new salary-continuation benefit |
| N/A | New bonding benefit (applies to birth parent, nonbirth parent, adoption and foster-care placement |
| N/A | New paid family leave benefit* |
* Paid family leave benefits to care for a family member with a serious health condition will become available on July 1, 2021.
Examples of What New Leave Plans Provide
The examples below show what the new leave plans provide for various life events. All benefits have a waiting period of seven calendar days. During this time, employees should use their sick time; if no sick time is available, they can use their personal or vacation time.
For Your Own Medical Leave
(Effective Jan. 1, 2021)
For 2021, a new short-term disability plan will provide a percentage of your salary (after a one-week elimination period), per the following chart. After 27 weeks, if approved, long-term disability benefits will be provided to replace 60% of your salary, up to a maximum $10,000 per month.
| Time Period | Type of Benefit | Amount of Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Paid time off | Elimination period — you may use your sick leave during this time to receive 100% pay |
| Weeks 2-10 | Salary continuation | 100% salary continuation |
| Weeks 11-20 | Salary continuation | 80% salary continuation |
| Weeks 21-26 | Salary continuation | 60% salary continuation |
| Weeks 27-plus | Long-term disability, if approved | 60% salary continuation, up to maximum $10,000 per month |
For Bonding With a New Child in Your Family
(Effective Jan. 1, 2021)
If you are the birth parent
If you are the birth parent, you will receive 100% salary for 12 weeks. This is in addition to the benefit received under medical for birth recovery (typically six to eight weeks).
| Type of Benefit | Time Period | Amount of Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Paid medical leave | Typically 6-8 weeks, depending on your benefits | 100% salary |
| Paid bonding leave | 12 weeks following completion of paid medical leave | 100% salary |
If you are not the birth parent
If you are not the birth parent, you are able to receive 100% salary for 12 weeks. If you are married to another Brandeis benefits-eligible employee, you do not have to split the 12-week bonding time.
| Time Period | Type of Benefit | Amount of Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 0-12 | Paid family leave | 100% salary |
For Caring for a Sick Family Member
(Effective July 1, 2021)
All nonexempt employees are required to use sick time for week one. For weeks 2-12, salary continuation is provided by our private MAPFML plan, up to the MAPFML weekly maximum of $1084.31.
Because of the complexity of the Massachusetts average weekly wage calculation, nonexempt employees are unable to use sick time incrementally to reach their regular salary each week. As a result, Brandeis nonexempt employees may use accrued leave time in place of the private MAPFML plan benefit if they choose.
The amount of benefits you are eligible to receive for our private MAPFML plan is based on your own average weekly wage when you apply for leave. The maximum total amount that you can receive in MAPFML benefits right now is $1084.31 per week. See the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave benefits calculator to estimate your weekly benefit should you choose to apply.
| Time Period | Type of Benefit | Amount of Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Paid time off | 100% salary |
| Weeks 2-12 | Private MAPFML plan | 80% salary, up to maximum $1084.31 per week |