Paid Parental Leave
Adopted at the in 2015
WHEREAS, the United States and Papua New Guinea are the only two countries that lack a law requiring employers to offer paid parental leave; and
WHEREAS, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) is a federal law that guarantees 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave; and
WHEREAS, the lack of income during periods of parental leave puts an undue burden on families and causes employees to return to work earlier than they might choose to; and
WHEREAS, paid parental leave and workplace flexibility increases productivity, helps to recruit more talented workers, lowers worker turnover and replacement costs, reduces absenteeism, and improves job satisfaction; and
WHEREAS, paid parental leave reduces the gender wage gap and promotes gender equity in the workplace and at home; and
WHEREAS, the city of Boston has established a paid parental leave policy and offers up to six weeks leave per child, where the employee is paid 100 percent of her or his base wages for the first two weeks, 75 percent of her or his base wages for the following two weeks, and 50 percent of base wages for the remaining two weeks; and
WHEREAS, other cities, including the City of Chicago, have established similar paid parental leave policies,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors calls on Cities and towns to adopt a paid parental leave law for their employees. --
Projected Cost: Unknown