Fayetteville establishes new parental leave policy for city staff

Fayetteville Mayor Molly Rawn said Monday (July 6) the city has established a new paid parental leave policy that will allow employees to receive six weeks of paid leave following the birth, adoption or foster placement of a child. The policy is effective immediately.

It applies to full-time employees who have worked for the city for 12 months and are primary caregivers.

“Strong communities begin with strong families. Supporting working parents is one way we can help strengthen both,” said Rawn, who’s made this initiative a top priority for her administration. The policy grew out of work by the city’s Staff Senate, which had advocated for paid parental leave for many years.

Asked how much this will cost the city to provide annually, Gracie Ziegler, chief communications officer for the city, provided the following statement:

“Because utilization will vary from year to year, the city cannot predict the exact annual cost. In developing the policy, the city evaluated historical leave information to estimate anticipated usage and determined the cost is expected to be manageable within the city’s personnel budget. We believe this is a meaningful investment in supporting employees and remaining competitive as an employer.”

Based on a review of historical leave information, the city estimates that approximately 35 to 45 employees may use paid parental leave each year, Ziegler said. Participation will vary depending on the number of births, adoptions, foster placements and employee eligibility.

“On behalf of the Staff Senate, I want to recognize the dedication, creativity, and persistence of the staff members who championed paid parental leave,” said Kylee Cole, staff senate chair and long-range planner. “This has been an ongoing effort since at least 2022, driven by staff who thoughtfully researched solutions, shared their experiences, and consistently advocated for a benefit that supports our colleagues and strengthens our workplace. I also want to extend our sincere thanks to Mayor Rawn for listening and engaging with staff through this process and supporting this important initiative.”

The new policy is part of a broader effort to make the city an employer of choice as competition for skilled public servants increases, according to a news release.

“The city of Fayetteville continues to demonstrate its commitment to staff by investing in meaningful benefits that support both work and family,” said Missy Hutcheson, human resources director. “I am proud to be part of an organization that listens to its staff and values the well-being of our workforce.”