Schatz Legislation Providing Paid Parental Leave For Federal Workers Sent To White House, Set To Become Law
Schatz’s Provision Will Provide 2 Million Federal Workers Across The Country With 12 Weeks Of Paid Parental Leave
WASHINGTON – A provision authored by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) that secures paid parental leave for all federal employees passed the Senate today and is expected to be signed into law. The new law, included in the annual defense authorization bill, will provide 2 million federal workers with 12 weeks of paid leave to care for a new child after birth, adoption, or the initiation of foster care.
“This new law means that the federal government’s 2 million workers will no longer be forced to choose between getting a paycheck and caring for their children. It’s a huge victory for unions, our federal workforce, and their families,” said Senator Schatz.
Although the current Family and Medical Leave Act provides employees with 12 weeks of unpaid leave to take care of a new child, it does not provide any paid leave.
Studies have shown that providing paid leave for federal employees would save the government at least $50 million annually in turnover and replacement costs. Federal agencies are already struggling to recruit and retain young talent. Just 6 percent of the federal workforce is under the age of 30, while roughly 40 percent of the workforce is eligible to retire within the next three years.
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