KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Kansas state employees are now guaranteed paid parental leave.
On Wednesday, Gov. Jeff Colyer signed an executive order providing paid leave for all state employees under the jurisdiction of the governor.
See the full text of Executive Order 18-19 here: #ksleg pic.twitter.com/DVsyWzAiHa
— Governor Jeff Colyer (@GovJeffColyer) November 21, 2018
Following the birth or adoption of a child, primary caregivers will receive six weeks paid leave. Secondary caregivers will receive three weeks. During the leave, employees will receive 100 percent of their salary.
“I think this is an important initiative for all Kansans” Colyer said in a release. “It shows how important our children are to us and how much we value family here in Kansas. I want state employees to have the same type of benefits that you see in private businesses across our state and nation; and I encourage all other statewide elected officials and agencies to adopt comparable policies for their employees.”
I am happy to sign today an Executive Order providing for Paid Parental Leave for Kansas state employees. Our government must be forward thinking and have the same sort of benefits you find in private industry in our state and across the country! #ksleg pic.twitter.com/zlIaVeQzQ6
— Governor Jeff Colyer (@GovJeffColyer) November 21, 2018
Prior to this executive order, employees would use their vacation and sick time when taking leave.
The Director of Communications for Governor Colyer called the change fiscally neutral for the state. She added, "The real question is, what are the costs of not implementing this policy? The state misses out on attracting good employees. This helps us run the state more like a business."
Colyer's office said this new policy will apply to more than 17,000 state employees.
“This is great news for state employees and all Kansans who will benefit from a healthier, stronger and more productive state workforce,” Wendy Doyle, president and CEO of the Women’s Foundation, said in a separate news release.
