Public safety workers get paid parental leave

Effective immediately, all sworn police, fire and EMS employees will get up to six weeks of paid parental leave. These workers will now enjoy the same benefit that non-sworn employees, who make up the majority of city staff, have had since 2013, when Austin became the first Texas city to adopt the policy. City Manager Spencer Cronk announced in a press release that the decision to grant the leave “is consistent with our commitment to fostering a healthy, safe, respectful, and productive work environment for all employees and their families.” The three leaders of the police, fire and EMS associations welcomed the move, releasing a joint statement that said, “Extending parental leave to police, fire and EMS personnel is sorely needed, very appreciated by your public safety workers, and demonstrates that our Council, city manager, city Human Resource Department and the community truly care about the well-being of their public safety employees.”