February 28, 2023 | From City of New Orleans
CITY OF NEW ORLEANS ANNOUNCES REVISED CAO POLICY PROVIDING UP TO 12 WEEKS OF PARENTAL LEAVE FOR CITY EMPLOYEES
NEW ORLEANS — The City of New Orleans today announced the implementation of the Chief Administrative Office’s (CAO) Policy Memorandum 33(R), which expands paid parental leave for City employees. This revised policy now provides City employees up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave, aligned with that of 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."
Prior to this revision, the CAO policy offered up to eight weeks of paid maternity leave for childbirth, up to two weeks of paid paternity leave and up to eight weeks paid adoptive parent leave for the primary caregiver (up to two weeks of paid leave for the secondary caregiver). The revised policy now offers the same parental leave to all City employees.
“The Cantrell Administration is excited to announce that all City employees will now be offered up to 12 weeks of paid time off to bond with their children following birth, adoption or foster care placement, expanding paid parental leave options for all who work for the City,” said CAO Gilbert Montaño. “In conjunction with the Rule changes adopted by the Civil Service Commission and City Council, the new CAO Policy will improve the health and welfare of employees and their children and provide a better benefits package to existing and potential City employees.”
In October 2022, the New Orleans City Council passed motion M-22-457, asking the CAO and the Civil Service Commission to update the City’s parental leave policy to be “in line with" FEPLA, which provides federal employees with 12 weeks of paid parental leave that can be used in substitution for unpaid leave through the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) following the birth of an employee’s child or the placement of a child with an employee via adoption or foster care.
“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.”
“Paid parental leave isn't just a new tool to improve the lives of City employees and their families; it's also a proven strategy to improve health outcomes for new parents. Studies have shown paid leave laws help reduce post-natal hospitalizations by up to half, significantly increase mental health and wellbeing for new parents and improve outcomes for children as well," said Council Vice President Helena Moreno. "New Orleans continues to move to the forefront in offering a modern and attractive workplace to help recruit and retain the best public servants and improve public services. We'll keep pushing for improvements to this and other policies to make government work for the people it serves."
In January 2023, the Civil Service Commission approved a change to Civil Service Rule VIII § 9 (Leave for Parental Reasons) to bring the rule on parental leave in line with FEPLA provisions. On Thursday, Feb. 16, the City Council approved the same changes to the Civil Service Rule, which went into effect Feb. 19, 2023.
# # #