COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) - Columbus city employees will now enjoy paid time off for maternity and paternity leave, thanks to a new ordinance approved during Tuesday’s city council meeting.
Mothers are eligible for six weeks off, while fathers will receive two weeks. Previously, employees could take leave but had to use their sick or vacation time to receive pay; that requirement has now been eliminated.
District 10 citywide council member Travis Chambers emphasized the importance of this change, noting that it arose from feedback from city employees. “This is something we are excited about when trying to take care of our team,” he stated.
The council voted unanimously in favor of providing paid maternity and paternity leave for city employees.
“We wanted to make sure we stayed on the cutting edge to make sure we take good care of our team members,” Chambers explained. “It’s a good retention strategy so that mom can be home taking care of her child, her newborn for up to six weeks without having to use sick time or vacation time, and that father being able to be home for two weeks on paid time.”
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This proposal was developed by listening to city employees and researching benefits offered by other companies.
Chambers noted that such initiatives have proven effective in attracting and retaining talent. He also mentioned that they will continue to seek ways to support city employees further.
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