Mayor Keller Signs Bill Granting Paid Parental Leave to City of Albuquerque Employees

December 27, 2018

Today, Mayor Tim Keller signed a bill granting paid parental leave to City of Albuquerque employees. Mayor Keller signed the bill alongside City Councilor Pat Davis and local advocates.

“Paid parental leave is one of the ways we can support working families,” said Mayor Tim Keller.  “This new policy is good not just to help City Hall recruit and retain top notch employees, but also for the health and wellness of new families. Every family deserves the chance to bond with their kids as they welcome them to the world.”

The legislation, sponsored by Councilor Davis, was approved unanimously by City Council on December 18, 2018, and grants eligible City employees up to 12 weeks of paid leave when they, their spouse or domestic partner have a baby or become adoptive or foster parents.  Eligible City employees include those who have been employed by the City for at least 12 months and have worked 1,250 hours within the 12 months.

Councilor Pat Davis said, “We want to keep local talent here in Albuquerque, and encourage the best and brightest to work in public service. A benefit like Paid Parental Leave makes working with the City even more attractive to hardworking families.”

Historical data shows that people who take leave are more likely to return to the same employer, meaning that the policy could help the City avoid some of the expenses associated with personnel turnover.

Paid parental leave also includes mental and physical health benefits to parents and baby.  Paid parental leave has been shown to reduce infant mortality by as much as 10% and increases the likelihood of infants getting well-baby care visits and vaccinations.  Paid parental leave can also increase the rate and duration of breast-feeding.  Studies have found that babies who are breast-fed are less likely to get a variety of infections and are at a lower risk for asthma, obesity and sudden infant death syndrome.  Women who breast-feed are less likely to get breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.