Lexington Council eyeing changes to City's paid parental leave program

Lexington city leaders are looking at modifications to the urban county government’s paid parental leave policy. That could involve advance notice and utilization timeline adjustments.

Paid Parental Leave has been available to city employees for a couple of years. It currently provides for four weeks of consecutive use over a six-month period. Some Council members expressed an interest in allowing the breaking up of the four weeks. Committee Member Jennifer Reynolds said new parents often tag team.

“And they might tag team two weeks and then two weeks or two weeks instead of four weeks at a time. And so, as long as it’s the same benefit for everyone, that they should be able to use it how they choose,” said Reynolds.

Human Resources Director Glenda George said it’s H-R’s recommendation to require use over 90 days instead of six months. More than 80% of requests have come from public safety employees. The cost, including overtime, for two years was $2 million.

While asking George about male participation, General Government and Planning Committee Chair Preston Worley said it’s not offered too often to fathers in the private sector.

“But when you do, you see a hesitancy to take that leave because of stigma or whatever. What experience are we having here at the government sector with that? “We don’t have that problem. Everybody uses it,” said Worley.

More than 200 parental leave applications were approved. George said one of the challenges has been last minute notifications within a week of the birth of a child. An amended parental leave ordinance could contain changes in advance notices and the length of time to use PPL.

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