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Lawmakers want paid family leave for feds

March 9, 2015
Blog Post

Federal Times

By Andy Medici

Federal employees would get six weeks of paid family leave under legislation introduced Jan. 26 by a group of Democratic lawmakers.

The new bill follows a Jan. 16 announcement by President Obama that agencies must give six weeks of sick leave to federal employees after the birth or adoption of a child, or the placement of a foster child in the home. Obama had called on Congress to pass legislation offering six weeks of paid leave in addition to the sick leave.

The legislation would amend the law to offer federal employees paid time off during an approved use of Family and Medical Leave Act leave. It would not count against sick days or annual leave.

Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., one of the lead sponsors of the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act, said the United States is one of the few countries that doesn't provide paid leave for the birth of a child.

"This is not only wrong; it's bad for our economy. Smart paid leave policies improve employee retention, boost productivity and more," Maloney said.

She said the legislation would make a real difference in the lives of millions of federal employees and would not force them to choose between a paycheck and caring for a new child.

Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said the legislation will help attract top talent and set an example for the private sector.

"I urge the House to consider this legislation without delay so we can begin to expand child care and family leave access to more workers throughout our economy," Hoyer said.

Richard Thissen, the president of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, said with 30 percent of the federal workforce eligible to retire in the next three years, agencies will need to offer better benefits to ensure good recruitment.

"With more than half of private-sector employers offering paid parental leave in this country, federal agencies can't compete with the private sector for talented younger workers who, if electing federal employment, would have to use accrued vacation or sick time, which may be only a few days, or forgo pay in order to take time off after the birth of a child," Thissen said.

The bill also places federal employees on an even playing field with contractors, according to J. David Cox, the President of the American federation of Government Employees.

"The federal government already reimburses its contractors for the cost of paid parental leave. It's time for government to extend these benefits to its own employees and serve as a model that all employers should follow," Cox said.

Other bill sponsors include Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-DC., and Reps. Bobby Scott, D-Va., Don Beyer, D-Va., Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., Gerry Connolly, D-Va., and Chris Van Hollen, D-Md.

Issues:Federal EmployeesHealth Care & Seniors