Lincoln takes step toward paid parental leave for employees

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Lincoln City Council heard public comment Wednesday on an ordinance offering paid parental leave to city employees.

On March 23, Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird proposed paid parental leave for all non-union employees of the City of Lincoln.

“We know that when secure attachments are formed with our infants in the home, when parents are feeling like they are striking a good balance, we are helping to create successful families in the community,” Baird said. “And successful families that enjoy economic security help create a more vibrant and vital community that is thriving.”

SEE ALSO: Gaylor Baird proposes paid parental leave for City of Lincoln employees

The proposal, if approved, would make Lincoln the first city in Nebraska to provide such leave for its employees.

Currently, under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, city employees may take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave.

The new plan includes six weeks of paid leave for the birth, adoption or fostering of a child.

Part-time employees can receive a prorated number of hours, too.

Dr. Stacie Bleicher, who has worked in Lincoln for over 35 years, mentioned her firsthand experience watching the strain put on new mothers and families.

“As a pediatrician, I think we’ve really seen the family unit fall apart,” Bleicher said. “When I was in practice, I had moms that were going back to work before they were physically able to or emotionally able to, often not having their support partner at home with them because they didn’t have any leave, and they couldn’t afford to have both of them off work without getting pay.”

The chair of the Commission on Women and Gender that advises the mayor said this was a long time coming.

“We are long past due for significant paid leave policies in our workplaces,” Kathie Uhrmacher said. “Paid family leave combats poverty, gives children a healthy start and lowers the wage gap between women and men by providing essential structural support to balance family and work.”

No one testified against the measure at the meeting.

The council is scheduled to vote on this during the April 10 meeting.

If approved, it will go into effect immediately.