Erin Ryan · May 22, 2015

Boston Passes the City’s First Ever Paid Parental Leave Policy

In our recently released Paid Parental Leave Report, we detailed the state of paid leave in our country,  outlined the benefits of PPL, and described policies implemented within cities, states, and private sector companies.  The report highlights that fact that the U.S. is the only developed country in the world without a guaranteed paid family leave policy. Gains in paid family leave have largely been achieved through laws implemented within individual states and municipalities.  On May 18th, Boston joined the handful of U.S. cities that have passed such policies.  The ordinance, which was originally proposed by Councilors Michelle Wu, Tim McCarthy, and Tito Jackson, was signed into law by Mayor Walsh as the city’s first ever Paid Parental Leave Policy. In a press release from the Mayor’s office, Walsh stated that passing this policy “is not only the right thing to do but it is important to the vitality and economy of our city. The benefits of this policy to both individuals and organization are a win-win and it is my hope that businesses will follow our lead and extend this benefit to their employees.” The policy allows City of Boston employees (male and female, as well as same-sex couples) who have worked for the City for at least one year, to take up to six weeks of Paid Parental Leave during a 12-month period following the birth or adoption of a child/children.  Pay during the period of leave is structured to provide 100 percent during the first two weeks, 75 percent during the third and fourth week, and 50 percent for weeks five and six. Read Innovation Ohio’s Report: “The Benefits of Paid Parental Leave”