Paid Extended Family Leave for City of Austin Employees? (2013, find a job)

[mimimomx3]

City of Austin might offer employees paid parental leave | www.mystatesman.com

Amazing that the council would even consider this, given the economic climate and the tax-happy environment we're living in here. Let's face it, benefits are given to attract employees to jobs. The city doesn't need any help in attracting people to work there, and given the number of people moving to Austin....is this necessary?

I called every council member today, and I urge you to do the same.


Austin City Council Members | AustinTexas.gov - The Official Website of the City of Austin

[riaelise]

I don't see what's the gripe, honestly. I am not a city employee and my job offers me 4 weeks paid time off, plus an additional paid time off based on pto.

[Trainwreck20]

I dunno, off all the things that may or may not be universal, I really kind of have to agree with paid family leave. And benefits DO attract better employees, so your pool of potential employees grows and you can get better quality individuals.

Anyway, don't you live outside of the city of Austin (and I am not being snarky, I really don't remember)? What is the impact on you, if you do?

[mimimomx3]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

I dunno, off all the things that may or may not be universal, I really kind of have to agree with paid family leave. And benefits DO attract better employees, so your pool of potential employees grows and you can get better quality individuals.

Anyway, don't you live outside of the city of Austin (and I am not being snarky, I really don't remember)? What is the impact on you, if you do?

I'm a taxpayer in Northwest Hills. The impact on me is ever increasing property taxes and less city services because we can't afford them.

Do you live in the city of Austin?

[EzPeterson]

Considering that city/state/county salaries are "frozen" fairly often, and routinely pay below private sector jobs, the benefit package is really all that attracts folks to gov't jobs (for the most part). I don't see 30 days of paid leave, after clearing out all vacation and sick time, as a big issue. Heck, many private companies pay for more time than that.

[mimimomx3]

Originally Posted by EzPeterson

Considering that city/state/county salaries are "frozen" fairly often, and routinely pay below private sector jobs, the benefit package is really all that attracts folks to gov't jobs (for the most part). I don't see 30 days of paid leave, after clearing out all vacation and sick time, as a big issue. Heck, many private companies pay for more time than that.

I had no idea there were so many job openings with the COA because of low pay....? (There are 87 on the city's job opening page). Job security is what attracts people to government jobs, because no one ever gets fired, unlike private industry. It's a big issue when the city is arguing over closing schools, cutting back on services, passing bonds, and raising taxes.

[G Grasshopper]

I don't see this as a problem, and I pay Austin city taxes. I got something similar at one point (not in Texas,) so it seems fair to me. Time with a new baby is important.

[scm53]

My problem is that what should be an HR and compensation issue has become - like all things Austin - political. If the city HR manager comes at budget time and says they are having a tough time attracting talent because of X, Y or Z missing in the benefits package, then fine. But that isn't what is happening. It is, once again, something that the true believers that dominate council want - in the absence of any defined need.

[mimimomx3]

Originally Posted by scm53

My problem is that what should be an HR and compensation issue has become - like all things Austin - political. If the city HR manager comes at budget time and says they are having a tough time attracting talent because of X, Y or Z missing in the benefits package, then fine. But that isn't what is happening. It is, once again, something that the true believers that dominate council want - in the absence of any defined need.

Yes, this.

I love babies, I love spending time with babies. If you agree, you should find a job that offers this benefit. Why should the taxpayers of Austin fund this for jobs that currently don't have it....and it doesn't seem to be a problem in attracting employees?

[mimimomx3]

Originally Posted by G Grasshopper

I don't see this as a problem, and I pay Austin city taxes. I got something similar at one point (not in Texas,) so it seems fair to me. Time with a new baby is important.

Is 30 days enough? Feel free to mail in a check contribution to the city of Austin to cover even more time!