The first three months with a newborn often seem the hardest for new parents. Although it’s important for a working parent to get that time off caring for their baby. A new proposal could provide the City of Superior’s employees a new policy extending paid parental leave.

Jenny Van Sickel, the Vice Chair of the City of Superior’s Human Resources Committee, said the current policies for time off for new parents isn’t suitable for employees. She said many new police officers and firefighters in Superior don’t have the paid time off to care for a newborn.

 “I think even under the best best physical, emotional, financial circumstances, having a baby is precious and really challenging,” said Van Sickel. “So there are ways that the city can respond in supporting our employees a lot better, this is one way. This policy will apply to all city employees. The eligibility really is framed around FMLA and all of the parameters involved. There are already a handful of communities doing this in Wisconsin. Our policy will read six weeks of paid time,” Van Sickel said.

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) does provide unpaid time off for new parents. Although buying all the early childcare necessities can add up incredibly quickly. On Monday, April 15th, the City of Superior’s Human Resources Committee will discuss a plan for extending paid parental leave.

Under the City of Superior’s current model, all employees working need to save up their paid leave in advance. Van Sickel said some employees hold off on starting a family, because they’re saving enough money caring for a newborn.

“We ask employees of, all different professions and pay grades, time and service, to bank up 12 weeks of their own sick and vacation. We then ask them to totally cash out for their time as they expand their family,” Van Sickel said. “What that does over a career is really chips away at their ability to retire. That was something that had a really big impact on me because of course we should be supporting parents. Another big difference is if both parents are at the city, they are expected to share the 12 weeks. In this case, both parents will get the six weeks of paid time off.”

Van Sickel also said the proposal will not increase any taxes within the city of Superior. The extended paid paternal leave proposal will also cover instances of pregnancy loss.

“Our family policy doesn’t come up a lot, but in particular this policy will cover the birth of a stillborn child or late pregnancy loss. Under our current policy that would only be covered under bereavement, which is three days,” Van Sickel said. “So in the case of even really tough, tough circumstances, the six weeks of paid parental leave would apply then.”

If the extended paid parental leave proposal passes at Human Resources Committee meeting, it will move forward to Superior’s City Council meeting on Tuesday, May 7th.

For more information about the Family and Medical Leave Act you can read more here. For other stories with the Superior City Council you can read more here.