1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

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

10. Thank you on behalf of WISC