Document Type: Regulation
Number: 3.15l
Effective: 05-15-16
Revised: 10-01-23
01-05-24
Legal References:
PARENTAL LEAVE
I. INTRODUCTION
The city provides an opportunity for parents to bond and welcome a new child to their family by offering paid parental leave.
Parental leave is available to regular, full and part-time employees, regardless of gender. Bargaining unit employees shall refer to parental leave programs, if any, outlined in their collective labor agreements for eligibility.
II. WHAT IS PARENTAL LEAVE
Parental leave refers to paid time off following the birth of an employee’s natural child or the legal placement of a child with an employee for the purposes of adoption. The maximum amount of paid parental leave is ten (10) work weeks based on standard weekly hours.
Parental leave shall only be taken in a single, continuous block of time; thus, incremental leave is not permitted. This means employees are only eligible for parental leave one time in the 12-months following the birth/adoption date. Paid city holidays falling within an employee’s parental leave period are not counted as parental leave days.
III. ELIGIBILITY AND USE
Employees become eligible for parental leave the first day of the month following 60 days of regular employment. The leave may be used only for the birth of the employee’s natural child or adoption of a child up to the age of 18 years old. When an employee is eligible for Family Medical Leave (FML), paid leave under this program will run concurrently with FML in accordance with the Family and Medical Leave Regulation. Employees shall designate, at the time they request FML, when parental leave will be used during the FML period. FML eligibility does not dictate parental leave eligibility.
IV. REQUESTING LEAVE
Parental leave shall be requested at least 30 days prior to the child’s anticipated due date/adoption date, absent any unforeseeable circumstances. To request parental leave, the employee shall complete a Request for Parental Leave form (see Exhibit 3.15m) and submit it to Human Resources in accordance within timeline specified above.