Loading...
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