Taking Family Time and Preparing for Family Growth
As your family grows, you may want to take some time away from work to care for your child. We recommend that you speak with a Human Resources representative to learn more about paid and unpaid leave options. The Career-Life Consultant may be able to provide guidance with some of the issues you may face. In addition, faculty and staff are encouraged to speak with their department chairs or supervisors about modified duties to allow for a more flexible schedule.
Insurance Benefits
As part of its health benefits, the University of Mississippi provides participation in ActiveHealth Maternity for expectant mothers or their spouses. Learn more here.
Leave
New parents — mothers and fathers — may be eligible for benefits under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA), as amended, and the National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 4986), as amended (H.R. 2647). If an employee is placed on FMLA, the university will continue to pay the employee’s portion of state health insurance coverage during the 12 weeks of leave. Payment of premiums for all other insurances is the responsibility of the employee. FMLA will run concurrently with either paid or unpaid leave. For additional information, see the Human Resources Benefits Booklet, contact Human Resources directly, visit the Types of Leave website or see the Family and Medical Leave Policy.
Parking Accommodations
Expectant mothers can apply for a Mississippi temporary or permanent handicap hang tag with a physician’s note. The Department of Parking and Transportation at the university can help answer questions on special parking accommodations and the Mississippi hang tag application process. More information also can be found here.
Consider Enrolling Child in Benefits and Updating Beneficiary Designations
When a new family member arrives, you may want to rethink your benefits enrollment and make changes to your insurance coverage and cafeteria plans. It also is a good time to review your beneficiary designations for your benefits. You must contact Human Resources within 60 days of the change in status to enroll the child in your benefits. Contact Human Resources to complete the appropriate paperwork.
Consider the Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
If you are interested in receiving a tax break on day care expenses, a flexible spending account may be of interest. Pre-tax dollars collected through salary reduction are credited to a reimbursement account. The account provides for the reimbursement of eligible employment-related dependent day care expenses. For more information, please contact Human Resources.
Working Mothers Support Network
The Working Mothers Support Network’s mission is to make the University of Mississippi a more family-friendly environment by providing support to its working mothers. Participation is open to any mother on campus seeking support from women that face, or have faced, the issues that arise from being a working mom.
Resources for Nursing Mothers
Lactation Station Locations
The University of Mississippi provides a number of lactation stations around campus. A full list is available here.
Lactation Policy
Registered Dietitian Janie Cole is a Certified Lactation Specialist in the Department of Nutrition and Hospitality Management.
Stopping the Tenure Clock Policy
Pages three through five of the tenure policy contain information on extending the probationary period for personal circumstances. These circumstances include (but are not limited to) pregnancy and childbirth; adoption or foster care; providing primary care for a child within 12 months after birth or placement; caring for a spouse, domestic partner, child, or parent who has a serious health condition; personal illness or injury; or death of a spouse, domestic partner, child, or parent.