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BOSTON - Friday,
March 19, 2021 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the expansion of
the City of Boston’s Paid Parental Leave Policy for eligible employees.
These changes build upon Boston's first-ever Paid Parental Leave Policy, signed by
Mayor Walsh in 2015. The policy will now
allow for up to twelve weeks of Paid Parental Leave, doubling the
previous maximum of six weeks, to employees who have worked for the City
for at least one year. The new Paid Parental Leave Policy takes effect
May 1, 2021.
"The COVID-19
pandemic has reminded us that working families are the backbone of our
economy,” said Mayor Walsh. “Now more than ever, it’s important to
support working families who have navigated many challenges over the past
year, including managing childcare. Paid Parental Leave is a critical
tool that ensures working families have the resources they need during a
very busy time in their lives. I was proud to enact the City’s first Paid ftParental Leave
policy, and I’m delighted to continue the City’s progress by expanding
these benefits even further.”
“The City of
Boston is committed to the health and well-being of our employees. By
doubling the City’s Paid Parental Leave, we are improving a benefit that
supports our employees and their families. Mayor Walsh has been committed
to re-envisioning the City of Boston as a modern, employee-focused
employer. This enhanced policy further demonstrates his commitment to
improving the employee experience and will ensure that the City continues
to attract and retain quality talent to public service,” said Emme Handy,
Chief of Administration and Finance.
The City’s
expanded Paid Parental Leave policy features:
·
Up
to twelve (12) weeks of Paid Parental Leave to be taken during the first
year after the birth or adoption of the child or children.
·
Applies
to employees, both non-union and union, who are covered by a collective
bargaining agreement that explicitly provides for this benefit. Employees
must have worked for the City for a minimum of one year to be eligible.
·
If
both parents are employed by the City and meet the eligibility criteria,
each employee is separately entitled to up to twelve (12) weeks of Paid
Parental Leave.
“The COVID-19
pandemic has reinforced that working parents face daunting challenges
that are not being met by today’s labor market,” said Dr. Jonathan
Gruber, Ford Professor of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology. “The U.S. has lagged behind the rest of the world in
providing the type of paid leave that is essential to allowing for both
healthy child development and healthy careers for parents. Boston was
already a leader in providing paid leave, and this extension continues
that leadership. The innovative plan will make it possible for new
parents to take the time they need to recover, and it is fiscally
responsible in providing the most generous benefits for the first month
while still providing partial pay through twelve weeks. I applaud Boston
for this bold and innovative step.”
Compensation under
the expanded Paid Parental Leave will be structured as follows:
100-percent for the first 4 weeks; 75-percent for weeks 5 through 8; and
50-percent for weeks 9 through 12.
As a State
Representative, Mayor Walsh was the lead sponsor of the legislation that
went into effect on April 7, 2015, which updated the former Massachusetts
Maternity Leave Act of 1972, renamed it the Massachusetts Parental Leave
Act and codified that it would be available for all couples for the first
time. In 2015, Mayor Walsh implemented the City’s first-ever Paid
Parental Leave Policy that provided up to six weeks of paid parental
leave. The original policy provided the foundation for the current policy
expansion.
Statement:
Michelle Wu on Today's City of Boston Announcement of Paid Leave
Expansion
Boston, MA— The following statement can
be attributed to Boston City Councilor and Mayoral Candidate Michelle Wu:
“Six years ago, as a new City Councilor and a new mom, I was
proud to introduce Boston’s first ever paid parental leave ordinance. Our
legislation set a standard for government agencies and employers across
the country to support working families and guarantee equity for families
of all types. As a working mom with two young kids, I know the
near-impossible juggle that so many of our Boston families are bearing,
especially as so many have been further destabilized through the
pandemic. Paid leave, childcare, and schools are critical infrastructure
for our families and our economy. I’m running for Mayor to bring bold,
urgent leadership in making Boston a city for everyone--the most
family-friendly city in the country.”
Context:
City Council approves paid parental leave
measure. Boston Globe, 4/29/15
City council president: Why I’m bringing
my baby to work, Michelle Wu, CNN, 11/3/17
A bold plan to close the early education
and childcare gap, Michelle Wu for Mayor Campaign, 3/2/21
Boston to double paid leave: Mayor Marty Walsh, Twitter, 2/19/21 | 
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