City of Philadelphia Adopts First Parental Leave Policy for Exempt Employees
Sunday, December 22, 2013
City cites needs of changing workforce as driver for policy change
December 20, 2013 – As a result of action taken by the City of Philadelphia’s Administrative Board, effective January 1, 2014, new parental leave benefits will be provided to exempt employees. The policy provides four weeks of paid parental leave for exempt employees who have at least six months of tenure in City government. The benefit applies to birth, adoptive and foster mothers and fathers equally, including life partners, and is usable within twelve months of the date the child enters the family.
“Implementing a parental leave policy reflects the changing needs of our workforce,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “According to Census estimates, as of 2010, 72% of Philadelphia children have either both par
Michael Nutter (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
ents or their only parent in the labor force – and this domestic reality is 13 percentage points higher than in the mid-1980s. Now more than ever, employees need a parental leave policy which will allow them to bond with the new child who has entered their home.”
In addition, the Administrative Board adopted two additional complementary changes for exempt employees:
-Birth mothers will be able to use up to eight weeks of accrued sick time immediately following the birth of a child – the previous policy allowed for up to four weeks of leave.
-All parents may use up to five sick days within a calendar year to care for a sick dependent who resides in their home (e.g. child or other sick family member), however these five days cannot be used to care for a healthy, new child.
The Civil Service Commission recently enacted regulations providing similar benefits to non-represented employees.
~posted here by Sue Calloway
