Legislation Requiring SF Companies to Offer Fully Paid Parental Leave Moves Forward

http://www.resetsanfrancisco.org/better-government/legislation-requiring-sf-companies-to-offer-fully-paid-parental-leave-moves-forward/


Legislation that would require San Francisco companies to provide fully paid parental leave to employees was approved in committee today and will go before the full Board of Supervisors next month.


The legislation would require employers with 20 employees or more to make up the difference between state disability payments and an employee’s full income for the first six weeks of parental leave. Currently, state law provides up to 55 percent of wages to eligible employees for the first six weeks.


The legislation would cover both mothers and fathers, but would not apply in cases where employers provide benefits that equal or exceed those in the ordinance.


Amendments approved today include the removal of the private right of action, meaning the law would not give individuals the right to bring private lawsuits, and tiered compliance dates giving smaller companies more time to make the needed changes.


The legislation has the backing of groups including Equal Rights Advocates, the California Work and Family Coalition and the Legal Aid Society, as well as the San Francisco Commission on the Status of Women and the Youth Commission.