Most leaves are applied for on the DOE website through SOLAS, the Self-Service Online Leave Application System (https://apps.schools.nyc/solas). Absences of one day or more, but less than 10, and intermittent FMLA leaves are not applied for online; pedagogues should talk to their school Payroll Secretary in these instances.

• If you physically gave birth to a child, you may use your available CAR/sick day balance immediately after your child’s birth for up to a maximum of six calendar weeks (eight weeks for a C-section) before beginning UFT parental leave for an additional six weeks.
• If you did not give birth to a child, you are eligible for up to six weeks of UFT parental leave beginning on the date of the birth or adoption of the child.
• If your newborn can’t come home from the hospital with you: In a new provision in the 2023 contract, if the newborn must remain in the hospital (in a neonatal intensive care unit or otherwise) longer than a typical stay, the parental leave can be delayed for either the birth parent or their partner, and the birth parent can borrow days and use a grace period for up to six weeks following the vaginal birth or eight weeks following a C-section if she doesn’t have enough CAR days in her bank. In no case, however, may parental leave start later than three months after the birth of a child. 

No. Birth mothers must choose between two options:

1. Take the traditional maternity leave including any applicable right to borrow days and/or use a grace period; or
2. Take a UFT parental leave. Under this option, immediately following the birth of a child, a birth mother may choose to use up to six weeks of CAR days for a vaginal birth and may use up to eight weeks of CAR days for a C-section birth. Following the use of her CAR days, the birth mother can use UFT parental leave for up to an additional six weeks — for a total of 12 to 14 weeks.

Yes, but we ask that you call ahead to schedule an appointment as this will ensure that time will be set aside for you.

Monday through Friday between the hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the school year and 9 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday during the summer months. Please call the Health and Cancer Helpline at 212-539-0515 to speak with a social worker. 

When you or a loved one are affected by illness and are in need of information, direction and support.

Yes. The Health and Cancer Helpline is available to individuals and their dependents who have been diagnosed with all types of medical or behavioral health illnesses.

Our caring staff will provide you with knowledge and information ranging from job leaves to accessing community resources. It may be useful to have a pen and paper available to take notes.

You will receive immediate professional advice from a full-time social worker based on identified needs. The social worker will create a supportive plan and follow-up care with a series of telephone and/or in person contacts to assist the individual to resolve issues discussed during the initial assessment.

Services include but are not limited to: immediate access to a full-time social worker to assess the health and wellness needs of the caller, on-going support from the helpline social worker, assistance with planning a leave of absence, health benefits information, MSK Direct (cancer care program) inquiries, referrals to quality community resources, and caregiver information and support.