City of Seattle to enhance paid family leave benefits

The City of Seattle is to extend its paid parental leave policy to up to 12 weeks and introduce four weeks of paid family leave.

Members of staff who have been employed by the city for at least six months will automatically receive eight weeks of paid parental leave to care for a newborn or a child placed for adoption, foster care or legal guardianship. Four extra weeks of leave will also be available to employees depending on the amount of holiday and sick leave remaining to them.

The leave, which was previously set at four weeks, must be used within 12 months of the birth or placement of the child.

The City of Seattle will...