New parental leave policy proposed for Hamilton County employees

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp has proposed a new parental leave policy for Hamilton County government employees.

This new policy includes eight weeks of paid maternity leave and two weeks of paid paternity leave.

“As a father of five, I know firsthand how crucial those first several weeks are for parents to bond with their newborn, and employers have responsibility to provide young families with this important time,” said Mayor Wamp.

To be eligible for full maternity or paternity leave, employees must be full time with regular status, and have been employed with Hamilton County for a consecutive year.

Employees must also have worked at least 1,250 hours in the year prior to the start of their leave.

Employees that don’t meet the requirements may still qualify for partial leave.

To qualify for partial leave, employees must have worked for at least six consecutive months and have logged 625 hours at minimum.

The partial leave policy provides four weeks of paid maternity and one week of paid paternity leave.

This new policy aligns with the new Hamilton County Center for Thriving Families will act to benefit and support new families.

Hamilton County Commission will vote on the new policy Wednesday, November 6 2024.