Women in Surgery Committee (WISC) This statement was developed by the ACS WISC to support surgeons who choose to have children. Statement on the Importance of Parental Leave

Overarching message: A successful surgical career should not preclude a surgeons choice to be a parent Surgeons who choose to have children have made as equivalent commitment and investment Choosing to have children does not detract from one’s professional commitment as a surgeon As a profession, surgeons should be supportive of healthy pregnancy outcomes and should not impose punitive repercussions on surgeons who choose to have children

Surgeons who have children: Pregnancy of the surgeon Pregnancy of the surgeons partner Pregnancy of a surrogate Adoption Inclusive definition of parental leave Applicable to academic or private practice

Guidelines: Surgeon will inform appropriate team members of pregnancy/adoption in a timely fashion The team should support the medical needs of the surgeon The surgeon should work with the team to create a schedule that is flexible and equitable for the surgeon taking leave and for all others affected by the surgeon’s absence. Surgeons should not be expected to make up for call missed during leave.

FMLA: Entitles eligible employees of covered employers to take unpaid, job protected leave for family and medical reasons including birth of a child Covered employers: If private, ≥ 50 employees; all public agencies Covered employees: Work for a covered employer Have worked for employer at least 12 months Entitles employees up to 12 weeks of leave

Finances: ** Know your institutions policy If exempt from FMLA: Encourage the institution or practice to voluntarily allow new parents to take unpaid leave consistent with FMLA Payment for leave should be negotiated between surgeon and employer If the surgeon cannot be paid during leave, surgeon should NOT be responsible for practice costs during leave ** Know your institutions policy

TIME: ACS Supports Maternity leave of no less than 6 weeks for vaginal and 8 weeks for C section delivery Paternity leave of not less than 6 weeks

Breast feeding: Surgeons wanting to breastfeed should be allowed flexibility Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 required covered employers to provide eligible employees reasonable break time in a private place other than a bathroom to express milk for one year

Lastly: Parental leave should NOT be a factor to be considered when making decisions regarding benefits, promotion, or continued employment

Thank you on behalf of WISC