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When can I start my paid parental leave?

  • If you physically gave birth to a child, you have the option to use your available CAR/sick day balance immediately after your child's birth, up to a maximum of six calendar weeks (eight weeks for a C-section) before taking paid parental leave.
  • If you did not give birth to a child, you are eligible for up to six weeks of paid parental leave beginning on the date of the covered event.
  • If both parents work for the DOE, they receive a combined total of six weeks of paid parental leave. The six weeks can run concurrently (three weeks each, at the same time) or consecutively (three weeks for one parent followed by three weeks for the other parent, or four weeks for one and two weeks for the other, etc.).