Women’s rights group calls for passage of paid leave bill

Women’s rights advocates are urging Congress to pass legislation introduced in the House on Monday that will give federal workers six weeks of paid parental leave.

The National Partnership for Women and Families is cheering for the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act (FEPPLA), which would amend the law to allow federal employees to be paid for six of the 12 weeks of unpaid leave they receive under the Family and Medical Leave Act for the birth, adoption or foster placement of a child.

“Ensuring federal employees can take paid time off when new children arrive is not only the right thing to do for the health and well-being of these workers and their families; it would also save the government money through reduced turnover and replacement costs, and it would help the federal government attract and retain a valuable workforce, including much-needed younger workers,” the partnership’s President Debra Ness said in a statement.

Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) introduced the bill in the House on Monday on the heels of a renewed push by President Obama for a national paid leave policy.

“As the national discussion about family friendly workplace policies continues, we hope it is a sign that there is more to come,” Ness said. “Access to policies like paid family and medical leave and paid sick days shouldn’t depend on where you live or work.”