A topic currently being discussed around the country is paid parental leave policies. Paid parental leave gives both mothers and fathers the ability to take time off while still receiving a regular paycheck after the birth or adoption of a child.  According to a 2013 Pew Research Center report, the United States provides the least parental leave benefit among developed countries.  Currently, U.S. federal law permits 12 weeks of unpaid leave and does not require any weeks of paid leave for new mothers.  In the meantime, some private industries and state and local governments are looking to fill the gap.  Below for your consideration are resources that discuss the issues associated with parental leave:

1. On October 6, 2015, Washington, D.C., introduced what the Washington Post is calling the “most generous” paid parental leave policy in the nation.  This policy would require all D.C. employers to pay a tax to fund 16 weeks of paid parental leave for their employees. 
2. Another Washington Post article describes why 16-week paid parental leave policies are revolutionary for U.S. workers.
3. This govloop article compares how government policies stack up to private industry maternity leave. It brings to light interesting facts about the state of paid parental leave in government and identifies local governments that offer paid parental leave.
4. One local government that offers paid parental leave is the city of Boston, Massachusetts, and this page on the city’s website outlines its policy.
5. On the Knowledge Network you’ll find this example of a paid parental leave policy from the city of St. Paul, Minnesota. It shows how St. Paul is able to create a family-friendly working environment.
6. The Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) in the state of Washington recently published this article to help local government employees in Washington navigate  current maternity leave laws.  It also identifies paid maternity polices in King County and the city of Seattle.
7. The federal government also has some useful resources for those researching paid parental/material leave:
   • This factsheet from the Department of Labor gives an overview of why it is important to offer paid maternity leave.
   • From the Council of Economic Advisers in the Executive Office of the President of the United States, this report examines the cost and benefits of paid parental leave policies.

Do you offer paid parental leave, and why or why not? Please share your comments below.

Douglas Shontz

Knowledge Network Intern