CLEVELAND — Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb is proposing a new paid paternal leave policy that will pay up to 500 hours leave at 100% to eligible city employees “who experience a new child life event.”
“Full-time city employees, both hourly and salary, who have completed 30 days of continuous service will be eligible to receive the benefit,” according to details of the proposal that were released Monday. “No other prerequisites will be required.”
The proposed legislation was presented to City Council during Monday night’s meeting.
"This isn't that expensive," said Ward 17 Councilman Charles Slife, who introduced the ordinance at the meeting. "We're estimating that it's a $1.2 million impact on a $1.6 billion budget, and that's not even accounting for the cost-savings down the road of retaining workers."
Here’s more on how the policy would work, according to a press release:
The policy will be offered to both biological parents in birthing situations, as well as those who have legally become a parent – via adoption or guardianship – of a new child who resides in the same household. Eligible employees will be entitled to 12 weeks (480 hours) of 100% paid leave following the new child life event. They will also be entitled up to an additional 20 hours of 100% paid leave prior to the new child life event – to attend prenatal and related medical appointments or to attend required meetings during the adoption and guardianship processes. Eligible employees will be able to use the paid parental leave intermittently, allowing flexibility to use the time off to best meet their individual needs and situations. Employees who experience stillbirth or miscarriage will be eligible for three weeks of 100% paid leave.
“I’m excited to present this new proposal coming out of Mother’s Day weekend,” Mayor Bibb said in a statement. “We want to set the standard in employee engagement by showing that we not only are listening, but taking significant steps forward by implementing what they are seeking. We hope other organizations in our region, both public and private sector, will follow our lead to support our workforce the best we can so that Cleveland can become an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.”
If approved, the policy would be available to all full-time, non-union city employees.
“It is the city’s intent that this new benefit will be made available to union employees as negotiations for bargaining agreements continue,” according to a press release.
That didn't sit will with Cleveland Police Patrolman's Association President Jeff Follmer, who told 3News' Lydia Esparra that "the policy should include all the union(s) and negotiated already before it was brought forward to City Council."
Slife says that was not possible.
"There is a federal law. We can't amend a collective bargaining agreement through legislation, but this strengthens their ability to reopen the agreement," he said Monday evening.
Slife adds that there is plenty of support for the legislation and hopes council will pass it in time for the policy to take effect by this fall.
Mayor Bibb’s office says studies have shown similar policies have various long-term organizational benefits, which include reduced turnover costs, improved employee morale, increased worker productivity and more success in recruiting.
“The paid leave will be additional time off that won’t affect other balances, such as sick or vacation time, that employees have already earned,” according to a press release. “They will also continue to accrue time and maintain their benefits while on leave.”
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Editor's note: Video in the player above was originally published in an unrelated story on May 9, 2023.