UC Revises Academic Family-Friendly Personnel Policies

As part of its ongoing efforts to provide effective family accommodation policies for academic appointees, the University of California has revised key components in its academic personnel policies that cover work and family issues. The revised academic personnel policies "express the University of California's commitment to ongoing development of principles, institutional resources and a work place culture supportive of family care-giving responsibilities," said UC President Robert C. Dynes. Some of the major changes to these academic policies include: Extending the period of time provided to birth mothers for reduced duties from one academic term to two terms. The additional time will enable birth mothers to recover fully from the effects of pregnancy and childbirth and to prepare for and/or care for the newborn child. Explaining that appointees may be eligible for part-time faculty academic appointments to accommodate family needs as defined in the policy. Clarifying that academic appointees shall not be arbitrarily disadvantaged in their promotion, advancement or compensation because they have elected to take a childbearing or parental leave, or chosen to defer a personnel review. Describing types of family accommodation policies available for childbearing and child-rearing purposes. Substantive changes have been made to Academic Personnel Policies 760, 133, 210, and 220. The revised academic policies may be found here. Academic policies were changed to clarify that family accommodations are an entitlement for all eligible academic appointees. In addition, although current policy provides for temporary and permanent part-time ladder-rank faculty appointments, new policy language clarifies that reduced appointments may be arranged to accommodate family needs. The policy changes build on UC policies that address the needs of its staff and faculty. In July 1988, UC established policies to address work and family issues of concern to ladder-rank faculty. Source: UC Office of the President Links: University of California