Colgate University provides a comprehensive benefit package with time away from work when necessary — including disability benefits, leaves of absence, funeral leave, and more.

Disability Benefits

The disability benefits available to employees work together to help them pay household expenses if they become disabled and cannot work. Short-term and long-term benefits are provided by Colgate at no cost to employees.

*Employees are eligible for disability benefits offered through Symetra after 30 days of employment.

Family Leave

Paid Family Leave Benefits

Paid Family Leave (PFL) is a mandatory benefit in New York State, providing eligible employees with job protection and paid time off for certain qualifying events. 

Qualifying events include: 

  • Providing physical or psychological care due to a serious health condition of an employee's family member
  • Bonding with the employee’s child:
    •  during the first 12 months after the child’s birth; 
    • during the first 12 months after child's adoption or foster care placement;
    • absences required from work before an adoption or foster care placement
  • needs that arise from deployment, active military service or impending deployment order for employee's spouse, domestic partner, child or parent
     

Paid Family Leave Policy

Paid Family Leave FAQs

Maternity Leave/Parental Leave

 

Breast Milk Expression Policy

Colgate University understands that employees returning to work following the birth of a child may need to express breast milk. The University will provide reasonable break times and a suitable, private location (not a restroom) where an employee may express breast milk.

Generally, these paid breaks are up to 30 minutes as-needed. Employees are entitled to breast milk expression time for up to three years after giving birth. 

To ensure proper accommodations are available, employees should reach out to their supervisor or Human Resources. 

Leave of Absence

Regular full-time and part-time employees who have completed one year of service with the University may be eligible for a personal leave of absence for up to one year without pay.

Requests should be submitted to the Human Resources Department with written approval from the employee’s supervisor. 

During this time, seniority that has accumulated will remain. University-paid benefits are suspended unless they continue at the employee’s expense, and arrangements must be made in advance for employee payments of life and medical insurance during the leave.

If the employee works elsewhere during a leave of absence without prior permission from the Associate Vice President for Human Resources or fails to return at the end of their scheduled leave, the employee’s employment will voluntarily end.

Employees on a leave of absence are not guaranteed reinstatement to their regular position but will be considered for any available positions for which they qualify.

Additional Time Away From Work

Questions

An overview of these benefits is detailed in the Employee Handbook.

If you have additional questions, contact Human Resources at benefits@colgate.edu or 315-228-7565.