Comprehensive Paid Leave for Feds
The past year has featured a significant expansion of paid leave for federal employees. Among these new benefits is an additional 15 weeks of emergency paid sick leave for feds who require time off due to either showing symptoms of Covid-19, or in order to take care of a family member who is suffering from Covid-19. Another expansion of paid leave from the past year is the extension of 12 weeks of paid parental leave to all feds with a newborn, newly adopted, or newly fostered child. Now, Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) is making efforts to expand on this paid leave program.
The Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act introduced by Rep. Maloney, according to the non-partisan summary, “provides paid family and medical leave to federal employees. Currently, federal employees are entitled to 12 weeks of administrative leave for one or more of the following reasons: (1) the birth of a child, (2) the adoption or foster care of a child, (3) the care of an immediate family member with a serious health condition, (4) inability to work due to a serious health condition, and (5) exigencies relating to an immediate family member's active duty service in the Armed Forces. However, of these reasons, employees are entitled to paid administrative leave only in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care of a child (i.e., parental leave). The bill provides 12 weeks of paid administrative leave for any of these reasons, and specifies that this leave is in addition to any annual or sick leave to which employees are entitled.” When asked about the need for this leave on a press call, Rep. Maloney said the following: “Our frontline heroes risking their lives during this pandemic shouldn’t be forced to choose between caring for themselves or sick family members and putting food on the table.” The Federal Managers Association wholeheartedly endorses this sentiment.
In plain English, this bill expands the number of life events that qualify a fed for the extra 12 weeks of paid leave. As things currently stand, feds are only entitled to this leave after the birth, adoption, or fostering of a new child. Under Rep. Maloney’s bill, if a fed’s spouse or child gets seriously sick, the fed would be entitled to that extra leave in order to take care of them. FMA strongly endorses such comprehensive paid leave for federal employees. No fed should have to choose between providing necessary care for a family member and continuing employment. This bill does an admirable job of addressing this issue, and FMA will work hard to help it pass.
FMA attended an Oversight and Reform Committee Hearing on Rep. Maloney’s bill on 6/24/2021, where the Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act was reported favorably. Rep. Maloney was a primary driver of the original expansion of paid parental leave, which FMA strongly supported. FMA greatly appreciates Rep. Maloney’s reliable concern for federal workers, and the efforts she has undertaken on their behalf.
The views reflected in this column are those of FMA and do not necessarily represent the views of FEDmanager. To learn more about the Federal Managers Association (FMA), visit their website: FedManagers.org.