Penn State announced Thursday that the university will offer eligible staff four weeks of paid parental leave starting in July.
The university announced the new benefit policy Thursday and said it will apply to staff members who have worked 12 consecutive months prior to July 1 this year.
The four week period has to start within 90 days following a birth or an adoption that takes place after July 1.
Staff can take paid parental leave once every year with no limit on the number of times while working for the university.
Under federal law, many employees having a baby can take 12 weeks off under the Family and Medical Leave Act. But they typically won’t get paid. In December, President Trump signed into law an act that provides federal workers up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
The Centre County government passed its paid parental leave policy in 2019, providing six weeks of paid leave to county employees. The county said it had hoped the policy would not only allow a work-life balance but also better recruit and retain employees.
