HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.i. Amend Parental Leave Policy
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
City Council Regular Meeting: January 7, 2020
AGENDA ITEM: Paid Parental Leave Policy AGENDA SECTION:
Consent
PREPARED BY: Logan Martin, City Administrator
Emmy Foster, Assistant City Administrator AGENDA NO. 6.i.
ATTACHMENTS: Proposed Updated Policy APPROVED BY: LJM
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to Approve the Paid Parental Leave policy effective
January 1, 2020.
BACKGROUND
The City Council is asked to consider the approval of the City’s Updated Parental Leave Policy to
include a paid leave component. Under federal and state law employees are entitled to 12 weeks of
leave for the birth or adoption of a child. During this time the employee's job is protected, and they
continue to receive insurance benefits in the same manner as if they were still at work.
At both the December 3rd and this evening’s City Council Work Sessions, Council discussed the
proposed program. The purpose of this updated policy is to give parents additional flexibility and
time to bond with their new child, adjust to their new family situation and balance their work
obligations. As the workforce continues to change, flexibility and family-friendly workforce
policies are essential. Such policies are needed to attract and retain the best staff for our city.
The key elements of this policy include:
• The policy applies to Regular benefit-earning employees regardless of gender who meet
eligibility requirements.
• The leave begins on the date of birth or placement for adoption and works in
conjunction with any other leaves available under existing federal and state laws.
• The first 80 hours of leave would be paid at 100% of the employee's normal base wage.
The birthing mother would then qualify for the short-term disability program if they
have opted to enroll in the group plan.
Employee wages are budgeted as year-round positions, so the Paid Parental Leave policy would not
require additional funds to be set aside for this program. It is anticipated that an average of 3
employees would potentially use this program each year. The average benefit value per leave would
be approximately $3500, depending on the employee’s wage rate.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends approval of the Paid Parental Leave Policy for the City of Rosemount effective
January 1, 2020.
PERSONNEL POLICY
City of Rosemount Policy 8.65
Paid Parental Leave
Policy Number 8.65
Introduction
In recognition of the importance of family and work life integration, it is the policy of the City of
Rosemount to provide paid and unpaid parental leave benefits to benefit-earning employees due to
the birth of an employee’s child or the placement within an employee’s home of an adopted child.
This policy does not apply to foster parents.
Purpose
To provide parents of all genders time to bond with newborn children or newly-adopted children in
hopes of setting children up for long term health and wellbeing.
Policy
This policy applies to all eligible benefit-earning City employees who have been employed by the City
and are benefit earning for a minimum of one continuous year (12 months). This policy is separate
and distinct from any other City benefit.
Paid parental leave will be provided to regular benefit-earning employees (regardless of gender) who
meet eligibility requirements, as described above, and who become biological or adoptive parents in
conjunction with childbirth or adoptions occurring on or after January 1, 2020. Surrogate mothers and
sperm or egg donors are excluded from coverage.
The paid parental leave benefit provides 100% of the employee’s regular base wage (does not
include overtime, supplemental pay, and/or other additional pay) for regularly scheduled work hours,
for up to 10 consecutive working days (80 hours maximum). The benefit begins on the employee’s
first scheduled work day after the baby’s birth or placement for adoption (pro rata hours for regular
part-time employees). Multiple births or adoptions (i.e. twins, triplets), medical conditions, and/or
other circumstances will not increase the length of paid leave granted. For the purpose of this benefit,
holidays will be counted as a regularly scheduled work day and will be included in the 10-work day
(80 hours) count. Employer benefit contributions and leave accruals continue during paid parental
leave. However, accruals shall not exceed contractual or ordinance maximums allowed for each
respective leave. Paid parental leave will run concurrently with FMLA, MN Parental Leave and/or
Short-Term Disability and does not extend the length of these leaves or programs. The paid leave
must be used in a solid block of time and works in conjunction with any other leaves available under
existing federal and state laws. Any future law changes would not be in addition to but rather run
concurrently with the paid leave time in this policy.
See the below illustration for a typical 12-week leave, due to the birth or adoption of a baby, with the
use of paid parental leave.
If applicable, unpaid parental leave will also be provided to eligible employees in accordance with
FMLA and the MN Parental Leave Act. Unpaid parental leave must be taken within 12 months of a
child’s birth or adoption and eligible employees can choose when the leave will begin. The maximum
amount of parental leave (including both paid and unpaid leave) is 12 weeks.
Eligible employees intending to use of paid parenting leave must submit a request form (attached) to
Human Resources before the anticipated birth or adoption of the child and, preferably, with FMLA
(and, if applicable, Short Term Disability insurance) paperwork. In no event will the combination of
FMLA and parental leave exceed 12 weeks duration. The employee shall be returned to the position
that the employee vacated at the commencement of leave or to a position of like status and pay.
Approved by: City Council
Updated: January 7, 2020
3 Birth 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
weeks (80 hours) 2
Eligible to use Paid
Parental Leave.
STD leave for birthing parent
Vaginal birth (4 wks. STD) C-Section (6
wks. STD) STD is employee paid option
Additional unpaid FMLA/Parental leave available
Up to 12 weeks total
May use accrued leave and/or unpaid leave as applicable.
TO BE COMPLETED BY EMPLOYEE
Required Form for City of Rosemount Paid Parental Leave Policy
Name: ________________________________________________________________
Dates of Leave: __________________________________________________________
I have read and understand the City of Rosemount’s Paid Parental Leave Policy and I have had the
opportunity to ask Human Resources staff questions regarding this benefit. I agree to meet the
requirements and conditions of the Policy. I will provide the appropriate and necessary documents for
the birth or adoption of my child. I understand that a fraudulent request for Paid Parental Leave is
grounds for discipline, up to and including discharge.
Employee Signature Date