A group of democratic senators in the US has introduced a legislation to give federal employees up to 12 weeks of paid leave for family and medical reasons, a benefit that is currently unpaid for most civil servants.
Led by Brian Schatz, senator, D-Hawaii, the comprehensive paid leave for Federal Employees Act was filed with eight co-sponsors including senators Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and Alex Padilla. The bill would expand paid leave to cover all circumstances already protected under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Schatz stated that at the moment, the laws were forcing federal workers to make the impossible choice between caring for their families and keeping their jobs, and that their bill would provide federal workers with 12 weeks of paid leave.
Under current law, private-sector workers can take 12 weeks of unpaid FMLA leave. Federal employees received 12 weeks of paid parental leave in 2019, but leave to care for a sick relative, their own serious illness, or a military deployment remains unpaid.
Supporters argue the change would help with hiring and retention. Only 6 per cent of the federal workforce is under 30, while about 40 per cent are eligible to retire within three years. Studies cited by backers estimate paid leave could save the government at least $50 million a year in turnover costs.
The proposal covers leave to care for a child, spouse, or parent, an employee’s own health condition, and absences tied to a family member’s military service. Workers would not have to exhaust sick leave first.
Unions, including the American Federation of Government Employees, back the bill, saying it would give civil servants financial stability during health crises.
A companion version has also been introduced in the House. Republicans have raised concerns about costs and the size of federal benefits.
If passed, it would mark the largest expansion of federal employee benefits since paid parental leave was enacted in 2020.
