Wake Forest University provides comprehensive disability and leave of absence benefits to support faculty and staff, including Family and Medical Leave, short-term and long-term disability coverage, and paid parental leave.
Family and Medical Leave (FML)
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides eligible employees with unpaid job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons. It runs concurrently with other paid leaves or time off, for example: short-term disability parental leave, PTO). For more information, please review the Family and Medical Leave Policy.
12 Weeks
As an eligible faculty or staff member, you may take up to 12 weeks of FML for a variety of reasons related to serious health conditions and qualifying exigencies (for involvement in the Armed Forces or National Guard).
26 Weeks
You may take up to 26 weeks of leave during a single 12-month period to care for a covered service member, including a veteran, when you are the spouse, son, daughter, parent, or next of kin of the covered service member.
How to Request Family and Medical Leave
- Provide written notice to your Department Head and Supervisor (at least 30 days’ notice if the leave is foreseeable by 30 days). Do not disclose any personal medical information regarding your request.
- After notifying your supervisor, Reach out to HR at absence@wfu.edu or 336.758.4700, Ext. 3, to discuss your options.
- Complete and send the following to HR at absence@wfu.edu:
- Certification of Health Care Provider if caring for yourself .
- Certification of Health Care Provider for Family Members if caring for a family member.
Paid vs. Unpaid Leave: Your individual situation will determine whether the leave is paid or unpaid, as well as the duration.
Short- and Long-Term Leave and Workers’ Compensation
Short-Term Leave
Eligible full-time staff receive salary continuation at 60% of base pay, from the sixth through the 130th work day of illness or injury. Faculty should consult the Absences and Leaves of Absence in the Faculty Handbook.
Once you have determined you will be out of work beyond five days, immediately reach out to HR at absence@wfu.edu or 336.758.4700, Ext. 3, to discuss your options.
Long-Term Leave
Long-term disability begins on the 131st workday of illness or injury for eligible full-time faculty and staff. Wake Forest offers coverage through New York Life to protect against financial hardships due to disability. The benefit equals 60% of pre-disability earnings, up to a $10,000 per month maximum. Partial disability benefits are available.
Contact Human Resources at absence@wfu.edu or 336.758.4700, Ext. 3, to schedule an appointment with a benefits counselor.
Workers’ Compensation
If a compensable on-the-job injury results in a disability lasting more than 21 days, faculty and staff will be paid from the date of the disability. For more information, please review the Workers’ Compensation policy.
- If injured at work and need non-emergent medical attention, please visit a preferred treatment facility.
- If you are injured on the job as a result of a work-related compensable accident, as soon as reasonably possible, the employee who has sustained an injury or accident must report it to their supervisor and Human Resources by emailing absence@wfu.edu or by phone at 336.758.4700, Ext. 3. Supervisors will be provided instructions to complete the First Report of Incident form. After a seven-day waiting period, you may begin drawing weekly workers’ compensation benefits if you require time away from work.
- Provide Human Resources with a written copy of your doctor’s return-to-work notice.
Parental Leave
- Wake Forest offers staff six weeks of base salary continuation for the non-birthing/adoptive parent and up to eight weeks for the birthing parent. Read the Parental Leave (Staff) policy.
- Faculty parental leave is a full semester (January to June or July to December). Read the Faculty Medical and Parental Leave policy.
- Parental leave is an individual benefit. If both parents are eligible University employees, both are permitted to take leave. Reminder: You have 30 days from the date of birth to add a child to your benefits.
Staff: How to Request Parental Leave
- Have a discussion with your supervisor and provide them with a written notice.
- Reach out to HR at absence@wfu.edu or 336.758.4700, Ext. 3, to discuss your Parental Leave options.
- Complete the Parental Leave Request form.
Faculty: How to Request Parental Leave
- Contact your department chair and dean to discuss your options.
- Reach out to HR at absence@wfu.edu or 336.758.4700, Ext. 3.
- Complete the Parental Leave Request form.
2026 Benefits Guidebook
The 2026 Benefits Guidebook for Faculty and Staff outlines benefits specific to the Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2026, plan year. The information included in the guidebook is intended as a benefit summary only.
Wake Forest University Human Resources
P.O. Box 7424, Winston-Salem, NC 27109
askHR@wfu.edu | P 336.758.4700 | F 336.758.6127