On Tuesday, the Pima County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to give its employees of both sexes six weeks paid parental leave. But the benefit, which goes into effect July 1, is not yet set in stone.
Allyn Bulzomi, Pima County’s director of human resources, said the board could still reverse its decision during next month’s budget talks. But should its members stay the course, Pima County employees with newborn children or newly adopted children will have six weeks of paid leave at 66 percent of their normal salary, in addition to time under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
"Under FMLA you get 12 weeks of unpaid leave and it would run concurrently with the FMLA, which is allowable. But what it does mean is that both you and if your spouse works for the county you would both get six weeks of paid parental leave," said Bulzomi.
Bulzomi said employees can use sick and vacation time to make up the gap in pay.
Supervisor Richard Elias was a supporter of the change advocated by a union representing some county workers. He said the benefit will cost taxpayers less than $500,000 a year.
