|
Tuesday, June 11, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Monica Moran, 614.378.2879
Monica.Moran@franklincountyohio.gov
Auditor Stinziano Announces New Paid Family Leave Policy
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano announced Tuesday a new policy that will allow office staff to take up to six weeks of paid parental or caregiver leave. The policy will be gender-neutral, and will also allow employees paid time off to care for ill family members.
“Employees shouldn’t have to worry that the birth of their child or an ailing parent will cause financial distress. We don’t want to create an either/or situation in choosing between caring for a family member and earning a paycheck. We want create an and/also. We want to have a supportive work environment where our staff can provide the best possible service to Franklin County residents,” Stinziano said.
Previously the office policy had followed federal minimum requirements by law, which grant unpaid family leave for employees. To take advantage of the new policy, an employee must have worked for at least one year at the office and have worked at least 1,250 hours throughout the immediately preceding year.
“No one should have to choose between the income they need and the family they love,” said Kate McCleese, Campaign Manager for Paid Leave for the U.S. “By providing this policy equally to all parents, the Franklin County Auditor Office paid family leave policy models the equality we want to see in our work and in our home.”
The new policy will also apply to employees who need to take care of sick family members, such as elderly parents.
“This policy announcement shows Michael’s commitment to efforts to be age-friendly, and will help employees assist aging parents. This builds on initiatives we’ve worked on that help seniors remain in their own homes,” said former Columbus City Council Member Fran Ryan, an advocate of age-friendly policies.
Studies have shown that extending paid family leave to employees reduces turnover and increases productivity.
###
|
