This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
As a mother, nothing is more important to me than the health and well-being of my children. Adopting my son Archie as a newborn seven years ago was one of the greatest joys in my life. Maintaining balance between my responsibilities in the Utah Legislature and role as a new adoptive parent required focus, but the time I devoted to Archie in his youngest years was the most important thing I could do.
Every family deserves the time to bond and welcome a new family member. While the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) has provided unpaid job security for decades, it hasn't kept pace with the changing social and economic dynamics of the evolving American family.
In recognizing the growing need to further support families, I was proud to begin 2017 by announcing a full parental leave benefit to Salt Lake City employees, extending to those who become parents through traditional birth, adoption or by foster care. Regardless of gender, a mother or father who works full time for Salt Lake City Corporation will now have access to six weeks paid time off, concurrent with 12 weeks of job security through the FMLA.
Paid parental leave benefits everyone. Countless studies have provided an overwhelming consensus that paid parental leave promotes better health among employees and their families. This includes a reduction in infant mortality, lowered rates of postpartum depression and an increase in follow-through that parents will meet necessary doctor's appointments. Some researchers have concluded that fathers who take time off the job after their child is born are more involved in their child's care into the future. Parental leave provides greater time and duration for care, physical and emotional recovery from child birth, and bonding time by any measure, all positive outcomes for our communities.
Beyond the health benefits, paid parental leave increases economic security as well. Too often, parents must choose between time with their new children or the pressure to return to work immediately. In offsetting the burdensome costs that can arise with a new child, the added paid leave may be the means for many to keep family finances stable.
Businesses and employers also stand to gain. In researching this option, I was pleased to learn that our city can clearly benefit through higher employee morale and greater productivity. Studies have shown that employees feel more confident and valued when given the time needed to care and bond with their children, resulting in a reduction of turnover. Residents of Salt Lake City deserve the best employees as great as the city they live and work in.
While the United States stands alone as the only industrialized nation to not offer paid parental leave, Salt Lake City now joins a handful of cities and counties, including Portland, Oregon and King County, Washington, to offer this benefit. There is no one-size-fits-all family. Government policies should reflect the ever-changing needs of families and society overall.
Beyond the research presented, I made the decision to expand the leave benefit to affirm my commitment to city employees and their families. Family is central to Salt Lake City's values, and it is the responsibility of leaders to support families as they are formed and grow.
As the capital city, we continue to pave the way as a leading example of progress for the state and cities across the country. It is my hope that our leadership will propel other cities in our state to act and live up to our shared values by expanding parental leave to all families.
Jackie Biskupski is mayor of Salt Lake City.