Why should a Federal employee be any better than any other citizen when it comes to family leave act?

they’re not any better. If you read what they get now, you’d get it. Like most companies, federal workers are allowed up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave after a birth. This is basically adding the 4 weeks to their benefits. They can take up to 8 weeks of their sick and vacation time. and if passed they will then be able to take this 4 weeks also. More companies should offer at least the 4 weeks or it should be a federal law that they give it to their employees. When I’m off with my baby this summer, I can take up to the 12 weeks, but we are offered no paid time. It sucks!

the federal governemnt should set the benchmark of where employment benefits SHOULD be

We are the only industrialized nation that doesn’t offer any type of paid maternity leave. Heck, Canada gives one full year for both the mother and father. And some of you are complaining about one month. This should be all of the employees not just the federal ones. This may be the first step in that direction.

You liberal people all act as if the money involved is beside the point. No; the federal emplyees already receive 30 paid days a year off with pay. That is plenty; 6 weeks is more than many people get. They already have an extremely generous pay and retirement. Let’s stop creating a royalty class in this country!

Royalty class, really? Is anyone in this country prevented from becoming a federal employee? What an incredible opportunity for parents and their young children. We should be thinking about ways to make this work for all families.

Federal employees do not receive 30 paid days off a year. Federal employees receive leave depending on years of service. So for young Feds who are likely to be this ones this would impact the most, they do not have as much paid leave. Also, this could pave the way for making paid parental leave the standard for all employers—it is a step in the right direction!

When I was in the military I had paid 6 weeks maternity leave. I was able to bond with my son without worrying about my job or my bills. I became a federal employee when I was 2 months pregnant with my daughter. I had no maternity leave, and not enough time to build it up. I took very little time off, and the time I did take was not paid and I was very stressed about bills. I feel this was detrimental to my early bond with my daughter and definitely affected breastfeeding. My son breastfed his entire first year, my daughter only 3 weeks. My daughter will cost more for health related issues – so certainly paid parental leave – even 4 weeks – would be cost averaged when you consider the benefits.

This would be a start for this country in an area we are way behind.

I support 100%

It also has not been mentioned that most private sector employees have learned to claim temporary disability and get maternity leave in the form of using the unemployment. This costs the employer. Federal government does not pay into unemployment insurance at the state level and we are unable to do such a thing.
Further, Federal Government employs many American Citizens, I ask you this, if Federal Government, and Private sector do not begin to support reproduction of our work force, will those who choose not to work, to push out babies, and collect welfare and WIC, be the ones reproducing? Lets think about this. The children are OUR FUTURE!