Ferndale Parental Leave Policy Rivals Private Sector

FERNDALE, MI – Ferndale city employees who become new parents can take up to 12 weeks of time off after the birth or arrival of their new baby under a policy announced Tuesday.

The policy provides 12 weeks’ paid time off for maternity, paternity and adoption care leave — six weeks of existing leave allowance, plus up to six weeks of matched paid time off.

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Ferndale City Councilwoman and Mayor Pro tem Melanie Piana spearheaded the new policy after watching friends and colleagues struggling with the need time off and a paycheck as new parents.

“I saw a need for our local government to offer better balance for families, and to enact policies that make a difference in our community,” Piana said in a statement. “Flexible work environments allow employees to balance life circumstances, which in turn improves work-life balance, productivity, and workplace culture.”

The new leave policy puts the city of Ferndale in league with leading private sector companies and organizations in offering generous parental leave, an important factor in attracting and retaining employee talent and longevity, Piana said.

The policy in Ferndale is more progressive than the one in place at State Street, a professional assistance company, which offers up to 12 weeks paid leave for mothers, eight weeks of paid leave for adoptive parents and four weeks paid leave for fathers.

“The private sector understands that paid parental leave increases options for women and families, and that these types of benefits are highly sought by the next generation of workers,” Piana said. “Cities are centers for talent acquisition and cultivation as well, and we believe that this new policy will attract an innovative, problem-solving workforce.”

Research shows that paid parental leave is not only good for employees, but for employers and the people they serve as well, Piana said. Strong parental leave policies reduce turnover and ensure that employees are physically and emotionally ready when they return to work.

“The conventional system just doesn’t allow enough time for employees to heal, bond with a new baby, and readjust to life’s new routines,” Piana said. “Who can afford to take unpaid days when a new baby or child arrives? It’s the worst possible time not to earn a paycheck, just as expenses are increasing.”

Piana said that one of the key motivators for the new policy was to promote gender equality and create a family friendly workplace for employees.

“Ferndale is known for its acceptance and promotion of diversity,” Piana said. “The new paid parental leave policy contributes to closing the gender wage gap and provides a flexible, supportive environment for employees with families.”

» Photo by Bill Salek via Flickr / Creative Commons