Request for Committee Action

A briefing memo explaining the purpose, background, and impact of the requested action.

Paid Parental Leave Policy (RCA-2022-00792)


ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT

Human Resources

To Committee(s)

# Committee Name Meeting Date
1 Policy & Government Oversight Committee August 15, 2022
Lead Staff:
Ricka Stenerson
Presented By:
Ricka Stenerson, Amy Friedman

Action Item(s)

# File Type Subcategory Item Description
1 Resolution City Policy

Passage of Resolution amending the Paid Parental Leave Policy to provide up to 12 weeks of paid leave to eligible City employees when a qualifying event occurs.

Background Analysis

The City approved a Paid Parental Leave Policy in 2015, last modified in 2018. The current Policy provides for up to 3 weeks of paid leave for eligible employees when a qualifying event occurs.  In order to maintain competitive benefits that are flexible and responsive to the changing needs of employees, Human Resources proposes expanding the paid leave to 12 weeks when a qualifying event occurs.  A qualifying event is defined as the birth or placement for adoption of a child.  Providing this benefit supports the City's goal to be an employer of choice, and allows the City to continue to attract and retain a qualified, engaged and diverse workforce. It also recognizes family and work-life balance as important and vital to the success of the City of Minneapolis.

While the new policy will be effective on the date it is published following mayoral and council approval, it is intended to be applied retroactively for employees experiencing a qualifying event in the 12 weeks prior to the date of publication. Human Resources will identify and reach out to all otherwise eligible employees who used unpaid, sick or vacation time and will arrange, up to the 12 week policy maximum, to recredit sick and/or vacation balances and/or reimburse for unpaid leave. Those who did not take the full 12 weeks will be credited with the unused weeks. The newly credited leave will need to be used within 12 months of the qualifying event. 

Racial Equity Impact Analysis