NEW ORLEANS — The City of New Orleans announced they will offer 12 weeks of paid parental leave for city employees Tuesday.
City officials said the new policy aligns with the Federal Employee Paid Leave Act (FEPLA).
"The revision to our City’s parental leave policy, in direct alignment with FEPLA, represents a huge win for the dedicated women and men who make up our City workforce, as well as their families," said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. "When hardworking parents are given the necessary support by their employers, this ensures that their young children are safe, supported and well nurtured, which contributes to our success as a community both socially and economically. The implementation of this revised policy will not only aid in recruiting and retaining our City's workforce, but more specifically, it will ensure the overall health and wellbeing of our employees, our youth and our city."
The city previously offered employees up to eight weeks of paid maternity leave for childbirth, two weeks of paid paternity leave, and eight weeks of paid adoptive parent leave for the primary caregiver.
Now the same parental leave is available to all city employees.
“As a working father of three young children, I personally understand the need for adequate paid parental leave," said Council President JP Morrell. "When it comes to paid parental leave, our country is woefully inept compared to other nations. I am proud that our city will be on the forefront of this issue that will benefit both mothers and fathers.”
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