Administrative Leave Idea Requires Legislation

Separately, President Obama called for passage of legislation creating six weeks of paid parental leave for childbirth, adoption or foster placement. Some of the reports on the memo incorrectly stated that he created an entitlement to administrative leave; in fact, Congress would have to approve such an entitlement and it has not done so with similar bills for more than a decade. In addition, the White House is asking Congress to allow federal employees to use sick leave to care for a healthy child after a birth mother’s period of incapacitation or after an adoption, another idea requiring congressional approval. Currently, annual leave, but not sick leave, can be used for those purposes.