Mississippi law provides eligible state employees with paid time off to care for a newborn or adopted child, supporting family bonding and well-being.
Eligibility
- Employed in a regular, full-time position by the State of Mississippi (including MSU) for at least 12 consecutive months.
- Designated as the primary caregiver following birth or legal adoption (child under age 18). The primary caregiver is the parent with primary responsibility for the care of the child following birth or adoption.
- If both parents are MSU employees, only one employee may be designated as the primary caregiver at any given time.
Leave Entitlement
The primary caregiver is entitled to up to six (6) weeks (240 hours) of paid parental leave at 100% of the employee's regular salary. This benefit supports family bonding, recovery, and transition time following the birth or adoption of a child.
Additional Information
- Leave must be used within 12 weeks of the child's birth or adoption.
- May be used once in a 12-month period.
- Benefit is in addition to other state or federal entitlements; does not reduce personal or major medical leave accruals.
- Runs concurrently with FMLA.
- Holidays do not count against parental leave.
- This leave does not accrue, carry over, count towards retirement, or pay out upon separation.
How to Request
Coming soon
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies as the "primary caregiver"?
The parent who has the primary responsibility for care of the child following birth or legal adoption. If both parents work at MSU, only one may be designated as the primary caregiver for a given period.
How much time is available?
Up to six (6) weeks or 240 hours at 100% of your regular salary, to be taken within 12 weeks of the birth or adoption.
Does this reduce my personal or major leave balance?
No , paid parental leave is in addition to other benefits or entitlements and does not reduce accrued leave balances.
Does paid leave run concurrently with FMLA?
Yes, parental leave runs concurrently with FMLA.
What if both parents are MSU employees?
Only one employee may be designated as the primary caregiver during a given period.
Are University holidays counted against my paid parental leave?
No, holidays do not count against the paid parental leave balance.
Can I split the leave or take it intermittently?
Leave must be used within 12 weeks of the birth or adoption.
Does this leave accrue or pay out?
No, it does not accrue, carry over, count toward retirement, or pay out upon separation.