Leave of Absence (LOA)
Need Time Away From Work?
Whether you're welcoming a child, recovering from an illness, caring for a family member, serving in the military, or managing a personal situation, Specialized offers leave programs designed to support you through life's important moments.
Your Leave Journey, Supported Every Step of the Way
Whether you're welcoming a new child, caring for a loved one, recovering from a medical condition, or navigating another important life event, Specialized offers a variety of leave programs designed to provide time, flexibility, and peace of mind. We're proud to partner with Larkin, our dedicated leave administrator, to help guide teammates through the leave process, answer questions, and coordinate available benefits. From your first leave request through your return to work, Larkin and Specialized are here to help make your leave experience as smooth and supportive as possible.
Need assistance? Contact Larkin for personalized guidance on your leave options, benefit programs, and next steps.
Pregnancy Leave
Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL) is available to birth mothers with at least one year of service at Specialized who are unable to work due to pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition. The duration of leave is based on your healthcare provider's certification and medical need, with most leaves lasting 6–8 weeks.
To support teammates during recovery, Specialized provides the equivalent of full pay for up to 6 weeks after childbirth through a combination of disability benefits, applicable state-paid leave benefits, and a company-paid supplement. The 6-week paid period begins after your baby is born. If your leave extends beyond 6 weeks, pay may continue through approved disability plans and any applicable state benefits. Teammates may also choose to use accrued PTO to supplement gaps in pay, but are not required to do so.
Employees should contact Larkin as early as possible to understand available benefits, pay coordination, and leave requirements.
Additional information can be found in the Parent-to-Be Guide.
State-Specific Information
California teammates: State Disability Insurance (SDI) may apply. The company supplement is calculated after state disability and Short-Term Disability (STD) benefits have been applied.
Colorado teammates: Colorado Paid FAMLI benefits may apply. Contact Larkin, our leave administrator, to start your leave request or learn more. Larkin will guide you through the process and connect you with Unum for Colorado FAMLI benefits. For more information, review the Colorado Paid Leave Program Notice.
Parental Bonding Leave
(Refer to the Parent-to-Be Guide for complete details.)
Parental Bonding Leave is available to teammates with at least one year of service at Specialized following the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child. Eligible teammates may take up to 12 weeks of leave to bond with their new child during the first 12 months after the child joins their family. Leave may be taken continuously or intermittently in increments of one week or more. Employees who qualify for FMLA may be eligible for job protection for up to 12 weeks.
To support teammates during this important time, Specialized provides the equivalent of full pay for up to 8 weeks through a combination of applicable state-paid leave benefits and a company-paid supplement. Any leave beyond the 8-week paid period is unpaid, although teammates may choose to use accrued PTO or sick time to supplement their time away from work if desired.
Employees should contact Larkin as early as possible to understand available benefits, pay coordination, and leave requirements.
Additional information can be found in the Parent-to-Be Guide.
State-Specific Information
California teammates: May take up to two bonding leave instances of any duration.
San Francisco teammates: Review the SF Paid Parental Leave Guide for details about the San Francisco Paid Parental Leave Ordinance (PPLO).
Colorado teammates: Colorado Paid FAMLI benefits may apply. Contact Larkin, our leave administrator, to start your leave request or learn more. Larkin will guide you through the process and connect you with Unum for Colorado FAMLI benefits. For more details, review the Colorado Paid Leave Program Notice.
MEDICAL LEAVE
Time away due to an injury or illness which prevents you from performing the essential functions of your job.
Duration is based upon physician’s certification. A return-to-work certification is required from your physician in order to return to work following a medical leave. Specialized will evaluate light duty requests and accommodate physician prescribed restrictions where possible, but cannot always do so depending on the specific circumstances.
Our Short-Term Disability insurance (if approved) covers 60%* of your pay. You may also use any accrued paid time off, but are not required to do so.
* If you live in California, you will file an SDI claim with the state to cover the first 60% or 70% of your pay (depending on state covered wage maximums); the company’s STD program picks up any remaining benefit up to 60% of your wages. Visit the Benefits Hub for STD plan benefits and limitations.
If you live in Colorado, Colorado paid FAMLI leave benefits will apply. Contact Larkin, ourmain leave administratorfor more information or to submit your leave request. Larkin will note your leave request and direct you to submit a claim form online to Unum, Specialized’s vendor of choice to process Colorado’s FAMLI benefits, see flyer.
Leave of Absence (LOA)
Need Time Away From Work?
Whether you're welcoming a child, recovering from an illness, caring for a family member, serving in the military, or managing a personal situation, Specialized offers leave programs designed to support you through life's important moments. Our leave partner, Larkin, is available to help you understand your options and guide you through the leave process from start to finish.
Contact Information: On our Confluence Page here
Larkin: Ways to request a leave
New Hire Notices here
We conform to the various state and federal leave laws, policies and guidelines. If you qualify for the time away to be counted towards Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allotment, your job can be protected for up to 12 weeks. FMLA runs concurrent with other leave programs. Your rights under FMLA can be found on the federal labor posters.
If your state provides any paid benefits for disability or family leave, you are responsible for filing and managing those claims directly with your state. During an LOA, time off accrual is paused and will restart upon return to work. Missed insurance premium deductions while on leave will be covered by the company during an approved LOA, unless otherwise noted.
To follow are types of leave and provisions for each, effective April 1, 2019:
FAMILY LEAVE
Time away to care for a family member who has a serious health condition.
Duration may be up to 12 weeks in a 12-month period measured forward from the first use.
Family Leave is unpaid. *You may use your accrued paid time off, but are not required to do so.
* If you live in California, PFL may apply. Contact Larkin for more information.
*If you live in Colorado, Colorado paid FAMLI leave benefits will apply. Contact Larkin, ourmain leave administratorfor more information or to submit your leave request. Larkin will note your leave request and direct you to submit a claim form online to Unum, Specialized’s vendor of choice to process Colorado’s FAMLI benefits, see flyer.
MATERNITY DISABILITY LEAVE (refer to Parent-To-Be Guide)
Medical leave specifically for birth mothers before and after the birth of a child.
Based upon physician’s certification. Generally, 6 – 8 weeks.
New birth mothers qualify for the equivalent of full pay for up to 6 weeks while on Maternity Disability Leave. *This is achieved through a combination of any applicable disability plans, state paid benefits, and a company paid supplement. People & Culture will provide instructions for maximizing these programs to keep you whole for up to 6 weeks. Note – the 6 weeks of paid maternity leave begins once the baby is born. Maternity Disability Leave lasting longer than 6 weeks will be covered only by approved disability plans or state benefits. You may use paid time off to supplement disability pay gaps, but are not required to do so.
* If you live in California, SDI may apply. The company supplement covers pay after state and STD benefits have been applied.
*If you live in Colorado, Colorado paid FAMLI leave benefits will apply. Contact Larkin, ourmain leave administratorfor more information or to submit your leave request. Larkin will note your leave request and direct you to submit a claim form online to Unum, Specialized’s vendor of choice to process Colorado’s FAMLI benefits, see flyer.
PARENTAL BONDING/PATERNITY LEAVE (refer to Parent-To-Be Guide)
Eligibility: 1 year of service with Specialized
Time away from work for a new parent to bond with a newborn, newly adopted child, or foster child.
Duration may be up to 12 weeks, which may be taken consecutively, or intermittently within the first 12 months following the birth or adoption. Effective 2020, Intermittent leave must be taken in increments of 1 week or more. In California, employees may take up to 2 instances of bonding leave of any duration. If you qualify for the time to be counted towards Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allotment, your job can be protected for up to 12 weeks. Your rights under FMLA can be found on the federal labor posters.
A new parent qualifies for the equivalent of full pay while on Parental Bonding Leave for up to 8 weeks. This is achieved through a combination of any applicable state paid benefits and a company paid supplement. People & Culture will provide instructions for maximizing these programs to keep you whole for a 8-week period. Parental Bonding Leave lasting longer than 8 weeks will not be paid. You may use accrued paid time off or sick time, but are not required to do so.
SF Teammates only - please read additional policy information here regarding the San Francisco Paid Parental Leave Ordinance (PPLO).
*If you live in Colorado, Colorado paid FAMLI leave benefits will apply. Contact Larkin, ourmain leave administratorfor more information or to submit your leave request. Larkin will note your leave request and direct you to submit a claim form online to Unum, Specialized’s vendor of choice to process Colorado’s FAMLI benefits, see flyer.
MILITARY LEAVE
Time away from work for military service, whether short or long term. We comply with all state and federal requirements.
Duration may be any length of time as ordered by the military.
Specialized offers up to 15 business days of paid leave, coordinated with any military pay. You may use accrued paid time off while on Military Leave, but are not required to do so.
* If you live in California, PFL may apply. The company supplement covers pay after state benefits have been applied.
PERSONAL LEAVE (UNPAID)
Time away from work for personal matters should be covered by use of accrued paid time off plans (request time off in Workday for manager approval if you choose to use paid time off for your personal leave).
Unpaid leave of absence requests for personal reasons may be considered and approved on a case by case basis. Unpaid time off requests exceeding 2 weeks should be managed as a leave of absence through contacting Larkin.
Approval and duration of leave is at management’s discretion.
A teammate using paid time off plans for personal reasons is not considered to be on a leave of absence. Unpaid time off requests for personal reasons up to 2 weeks are not considered to be a leave of absence.
Personal Leave, if approved, is unpaid.
Insurance premium deductions will be put in arrears and collected upon return to work. Teammates can choose to pay premiums upon their return to work by one of the following:
Writing a check made out to Specialized Bicycle Components and sending it to P&C in the Morgan Hill office
OR
Deducting the missed premiums from their paychecks upon their return doubled up until arrears was paid.