Allen County’s Board of Commissioners approved a county-wide parental leave policy for employees during its weekly meeting Friday morning.
The measure follows in the footsteps of the City of Fort Wayne’s parental leave plan -- which went into effect earlier this year -- offering three weeks’ paid leave to employees within the first six months of the birth or adoption of a child. The proposal applies to county employees on the job for 12 months and eligible for benefits.
While employees can’t use more than the given time over the course of one year, the clock resets on January 1 for new parents who might have another child soon after.
Board president Nelson Peters says it makes practical sense for a region interested in attracting and maintaining talent.
He says the policy makes Allen County an employer of choice, for current and prospective employees.
“People I think will look and say, ‘Okay, here’s an organization that really cares about its employees.’ I think it keeps people here and it keeps people wanting to come here.”
Employees of any gender would qualify under the policy, and if both parents of a child are eligible employees, each would have separate leaves they can take individually or concurrently with the other parent.
The measure takes effect immediately.
