Welcoming your new little wildcat New parents
Congratulations!
While there's a lot to plan and prepare for when welcoming a child into your family, we're here to help make this transition as smooth as possible.
Here you'll find an overview of leave time, benefits and resources at UK for new parents.
If you're experiencing a pregnancy-related disability or limitation at work, please request accommodation with our Office of Institutional Equity and Equal Opportunity. Employees who are pregnant are protected from discrimination at the federal and state level in addition to our university policy.
Supervisors
As a supervisor, you play an important role in working with an employee before and after their leave for the birth or adoption of a child.
Be knowledgeable on our leave and flexible work policies, transparent in your communication, collaborate on transition plans and create a supportive environment.
Hey little wildcat, welcome!
UK benefits for families
While you are on approved Family and Medical Leave, UK will continue to pay for your basic life insurance, long term disability insurance, and for your own health insurance (not for the family plan portion though).
Accrual of sick time (TDL) and vacation time will only continue if you are in a paid status for at least one half of the pay period.
Please contact our Benefits team to ensure that your coverage continues — especially if there is a possibility that you'll be taking unpaid leave.
Make changes
Welcoming a new child is a qualifying event, so you'll want to make changes to your existing benefits within 30 days.
Choose your insurance
Review our health, dental and vision plans and enroll in a plan that covers your growing family.
Depending on the age of the child, you may not need dental or vision coverage, please consult with your physician. A change in enrollment will be effective as of the date of the qualifying event. So, your little one will be here before the paperwork is complete, but hospitals and doctor's offices are familiar with this and are usually accomodating.
Update your beneficiaries
Add your new child as a beneficiary on your life insurance and retirement savings.
Flexible Spending Account
If you think your health care costs may increase, or if you are considering child care, a flexible spending account sets money aside tax-free to pay for certain items.
We host meetings, book clubs and lunches, and a Teams chat to connect with each other throughout the week.
Breastfeeding and lactation support
The University of Kentucky encourages and supports breastfeeding and lactation in the workplace. Work-Life is committed to assisting those who choose to breastfeed in finding an easily accessible, secure space. Please contact Work-life with any questions or more information.
Federal Guidelines for Lactation in the Workplace
Basic needs
- Privacy- A private office (with lock) or an on-site, designated room with an electrical outlet.
- Flexible breaks and work options- Lactation requires 2-3 breaks during an 8-hour work day. On average, milk expression can take approximately 20 – 30 minutes but will vary, depending upon a number of factors such as physical health, emotional and physical stress, milk production, prior experience with lactation, and equipment.
- Education- Information and resources to support the employee in balancing the requirements for breastfeeding with their job responsibilities.
- Support- A positive, accepting attitude from upper management, supervisors and coworkers helps breastfeeding employees feel confident in their ability to continue working while breastfeeding.
Lactation spaces
We have 18+ dedicated lacatation rooms across campus.
You can also use an office or schedule a conference room.
Find a spacePumping
The cost of one breast pump per pregnancy is covered for UK health plan members.
