Letter: Galloway urges Parson to update state's parental leave policies
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KRCG) --State Auditor Nicole Galloway issued a letter Monday urging Governor Mike Parson to sign an executive order updating the state's parental leave policies.
Auditor Galloway is recommending that Missouri allows state workers to take up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after the birth or adoption of a child.
Galloway's proposed policy would mirror those recently signed into law by President Trump for federal employees, according to a news release.
Galloway explained in a news release that paid parental leave is becoming more common in the United States with 40 percent of employers offering paid parental leave, an increase from 24 percent in 2015.
The state auditor went on to say that paid parental leave is a benefit that could be used to draw prospective state employees into positions that are otherwise known for having low wages.
"This is a way to attract and retain employees to work for the state to serve the public better," Galloway said. "We want great employees here within the state and, look, state employees are some of the lowest-paid within the country."
The news release noted that former Governor Eric Greitens signed an executive order in 2017 that established up to six weeks of parental leave for Missouri employees in the executive branch of state government.
Galloway said Missouri state government should be "leading the way" in parental leave policies given that the government is one of the largest employers in Missouri.
"Governor Parson can implement this policy now without legislation, establishing a task force, or other delay," said Galloway.
Prior to 2017, Galloway implemented family-friendly personnel policies in her office allowing her workers "bonding time after the birth or adoption of a child."
