DuPage County board amends parental leave policy to clarify eligibility, expands part-time coverage

The DuPage County Board voted to approve an amendment to the personnel manual that clarifies eligibility for parental time and extends coverage to more part-time employees.

The board approved the revision to the parental-time policy, which now specifies that full-time and part-time employees budgeted to work a minimum of 20 hours per week who have worked at least 1,250 hours or 12 months, and are not in a new-hire probationary period at the time of birth or adoption, are eligible for up to 12 weeks of parental time. The motion to amend and approve the policy passed on a roll-call vote.

A human-resources staff member who presented the change told the board the policy "has been really well received" and that the amendment aligned eligibility rules with other county policies while smoothing ambiguities discovered during five months of implementation.

Board members praised the policy. Member Ozak, a County Board member, noted the county's move contrasts with typical short private-sector maternity leaves and said the change helps families and recruitment. One board member asked about new hires who become parents before they meet eligibility; staff replied that other leave options (including paid leave and unpaid leave) are available for those employees.

The motion was moved and approved as amended; roll-call results in the transcript show unanimous or near-unanimous support. The policy change is effective immediately for county personnel and county HR indicated it will continue to monitor usage and implementation.

Ending: The board directed human resources to continue outreach about the revised parental-time policy and to provide clarifying guidance on eligibility for new hires and part-time staff.