City of Lincoln employees will now get six weeks of paid parental leave

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – A unanimous vote on Monday sealed the deal on paid parental leave for City of Lincoln employees.

That makes it the first city in Nebraska to offer its employees paid time off when becoming a parent.

The city council spoke in support of the measure before approving it in a 7-0 vote.

Previously, city employees could take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave.

But the new plan includes six weeks of paid leave for the birth, adoption or fostering of a child within the first year.

Part-time employees will receive prorated hours.

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird proposed the idea.

The city council heard the community’s take last week, with testifiers completely in support.

Since it was approved by the council, the proposal will be going to the mayor’s desk to be signed.

The benefits could be implemented as soon as May 1.