H.R. 5781 would provide that 8 of the 12 weeks of parental leave made available to a Federal employee shall be paid leave.
Detailed Summary
Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2008 - Allows federal employees to substitute any available paid leave for any leave without pay available for either the: (1) birth of a child; or (2) placement of a child with the employee for either adoption or foster care. Makes available for any of the 12 weeks of leave an employee is entitled to for such purposes: (1) four administrative weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth or placement involved; and (2) any accumulated annual or sick leave.
Authorizes the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to increase the amount of paid parental leave available to up to eight administrative workweeks, based on the consideration of: (1) the benefits provided to the federal government of offering increased paid parental leave, including enhanced recruitment and retention of employees; (2) the cost to the federal government of increasing the amount of paid parental leave that is available to employees; (3) trends in the private sector and in state and local governments with respect to offering paid parental leave; and (4) the federal government's role as a model employer.
Amends the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to allow the same substitution for covered congressional employees.
Amends the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to allow the same substitution for Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Library of Congress employees.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 7/21/2008: Referred to Senate subcommittee. Status: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments
For fed employee
December 10, 2008, 2:12pm (report abuse)It is in the best interest of the federal employee families - not the rest of us. Tell it like it really is - you want something for you and you don't give one tinker's damn who has to pay for it.
The only way this should pass is if it requires each government employee to pay into an insurance fund. That money, and only that money, could then be used to pay for the benefit.
fed employee
December 10, 2008, 2:29pm (report abuse)just what do you do for a living that you are so quick to respond to others comments? Are you living on a pension paid for by taxpayers, the consumer, or are you on welfare?
For fed employee
December 14, 2008, 9:54pm (report abuse)None of the above. I own my own business and make use of my time as I see fit. At least I'm contributing to the economy, unlike many public employees.
Liberty
December 17, 2008, 8:37am (report abuse)I'm all for the bill with this exception. The person who is on leave should have to collect the money from their neighbors who would receive a credit against the taxes they pay. That way the shame of asking other people to support you would attach to your "paid" leave
hmmm
December 19, 2008, 1:41pm (report abuse)Today, as a fed, I helped to provide of 30,000 working poor with healthcare. I have worked for the fed govt for one year, came from the private sector, top in class in college and wanted to do a job that I could be proud of. My husband and I would like to start a family, but with my unused leave totalling 3 weeks we are unable to do so. We are young and just starting out, we just bought a new house, have a decent savings and with our incomes can afford a child. However, our savings will be deplenished if I cannot receive partial pay during my maternal period. However, my husband who teaches special education children in a public school (tax dollars) will receive 6 weeks of paternal wages. We as fed employees and county employees, pay just as much tax as anyone else, but cannot use most of the benefits, so offering this one thing of 4 weeks of paid leave does not seem so ridiculous. I can help the working class, but can't ask for help??
to liberty
December 19, 2008, 1:44pm (report abuse)did you go ask your neighbor for money when you drove down the highway that tax payers paid for, or sent your children to a public school, last time you used a public hospital, went to a state college, used a public park??? Come on!
For hmm
December 19, 2008, 3:50pm (report abuse)Top of your class? Is that when you started making up words? "deplenished"
I'm sure you can wait to start your family until you have some more leave saved up. Perhaps instead of using your sick leave on friday or monday to have that 3-day weekend you could try using it the way it is intended.
Consider
December 29, 2008, 2:39pm (report abuse)With the current economy some federal female employees can not afford to take 6 weeks unpaid. Somone above said that they were already goingto be paid anyway so whatis the big deal. If the USG can shell out 8.7 billion to banks, who don't know what they did with the money then they can do the 850 million over 4 years. PASS THIS BILL!!!!
For: for Fed Employee
December 29, 2008, 2:54pm (report abuse)Hmmm, you are no different than the federal government. You run a business, market your product, hire/retain employees, etc. I'm sure you are getting what you are paying for based on what benefits you provide. As a federal employee, I also contribute to the economy. What makes you think you stand out above everyone else???
For whoever
December 30, 2008, 6:30pm (report abuse)Anyone who thinks federal employees make a net contribution to the economy don't understand how our government works. Taxes pay your wage. Those same taxes are taken from the citizens and companies who are the real engines of the economy.
My employees are well paid and have better benefits than most governments. For that I am rewarded with a hard-working, productive, and loyal workforce. Much better than I can say for many public sector employees.