Under federal and state law, eligible employees are entitled to take up to twelve weeks of leave for the birth, adoption or foster placement of a child. During that period, employees' jobs are protected, and they continue to receive employer paid health benefits; however, there is no requirement that employees be paid during their leave. The lack of income during periods of parental leave puts an undue burden on families and causes employees to return to work earlier than they might otherwise choose to. Upon review of applicable laws, current City employee benefit offerings, and parental leave benefits currently offered in both the public and private sector, the attached Parental Leave Policy has been established. It is our belief that this policy compliments our current benefit offering and addresses the Mayor and Commissions objective of improving workplace opportunities for working families in the City of North Miami Beach.

Approve the Resolution authorizing the City Manager to implement and amend as needed, a Paid Parental Leave Policy that provides City of North Miami Beach employees a parental leave benefit that compliments current and future City benefit offerings.