The Houston Women’s Commission first proposal is backed by Mayor Sylvester Turner
That being the case, Texas cities and counties have been stepping up. The city of Austin, for example, last month extended up to six weeks of paid parental leave for the city’s police, fire and EMS employees; other city employees have had access to paid parental leave since 2013. “We can attract and retain talented and dedicated employees by offering some of the benefits provided in the private sector,” Turner said.
the way that the private sector can,” she continued. “But we can do the right thing. We can offer the right benefits — which show that we care, and that those committed to public service matter, and their families matter.” Such a display would benefit the city, as well as employees. The nationwide unemployment rate soared into the double digits during the pandemic, only to plunge during the recovery: It now stands at 3.6 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Across the state of Texas, the unemployment rate is a bit higher — 4.7 percent as of February, according to Texas Workforce Commission data. Still, employees here and across the country have real leverage at the moment.
If workers want to use that leverage to advocate for paid parental leave, no one should begrudge them. Instead, employers — including the city — should recognize the benefits of such policies, and act accordingly.
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