'Travis County values all kinds of families': County votes in favor of paid family-leave policy

Local Government
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The Travis County Commissioner's Court voted to develop a paid family-leave policy for employees. | Pixabay

The Travis County Commissioners Court has voted unanimously to craft a paid family-leave policy for all county employees, KVUE reported.

"Today, we directed county staff to develop a paid family/parental leave policy for Travis County employees," county judge Andy Brown tweeted.

Under the resolution, a subcommittee will be tasked with compiling recommendations for the policy and present them to the court in 60 days, KVUE reported. The recommendations must guarantee all Travis County employees between six and 12 weeks of paid family leave, the station said.

According to the county, employees have access to unpaid Family and Medical Leave Act time but can't take extended paid leave to tend to family matters such as adoption of child or to care for a family member with a serious medical condition.

"Travis County values all kinds of families, including those with same sex parents, unmarried parents or single parents, and values all kinds of familial responsibilities, including caring for adult family members when necessary," the resolution by the Commissioner's Court states.

It directs county staff to "return to the Commissioner's Court with a cost estimate for the paid family leave policy options developed in accordance with this resolution and should take into account costs associated with staff recruitment, staff turnover and training, employee health and wellness and any other costs associated with the county’s current leave policies."