The Associated Press

LEXINGTON - The University of Kentucky has a new policy for employees who adopt children and for new fathers.

Under the plan released Monday, employees who adopt can use up to six weeks of paid sick time for travel and adjustment time with their children. New fathers also can use the six weeks of paid sick time to stay home with new infants, instead of using vacation or unpaid leave.

"I'm personally excited about making these opportunities available to our employees," President Lee Todd said. "I feel this innovative approach is necessary to attract and retain the best and brightest employees."

New mothers who have given birth already have the option.

UK administrator Edythe Lach welcomed the new policy. When she went to China six years ago to adopt her daughter, Tedlin, she had saved nearly two months of sick time but wasn't allowed to use it. Instead she used three weeks of vacation and two weeks of unpaid leave to help the 1-year-old adjust.

It's not clear how much the new policy will cost the university.