Anonymous wrote:My understanding is that dual fed couples aren’t currently able to “double up” this benefit.

There appears to be an update that indicates that you can "double up." An OPM spokesperson said "Each parent will have their own 12-week paid parental leave entitlement":

https://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2020/03/opm-dismisses-union-concerns-about-paid-parental-leave-implementation/163698/

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I doubt it, because that was supposed to be for recovery time, and now that will be covered by the parental leave.

But you are recovering from birth, seems like an appropriate use of sick leave. You should be able to use those weeks of sick leave to recover and then the 12 weeks to bond with and care for the child.

100% agree. My guess - get a doc note for your recovery period and use your sick leave. Then use the 12 weeks under this paid leave plan. If you couldn’t do that, this hardly seems equitable- fathers get bonding time but mothers have to use it for recovery?!

My agency has already interpreted it in this manner:
Mother can use STD and/or accrued sick leave for initial 8 weeks post birth. Then PPL will be used for 12 weeks, either at once or broken up over the course of the baby’s first year.

Father can only use accrued sick leave for initial 8 weeks, then has 12 weeks PPL over the course of baby’s first year.

If you’re a dual Fed couple, you can basically have someone at home for the baby’s first 8 months if your PPL’s don’t overlap. That’s great.

My understanding is that dual fed couples aren’t currently able to “double up” this benefit. https://www.govexec.com/pay-benefits/2020/03/union-urges-opm-director-withdraw-proposal-limit-paid-parental-leave/163458/

Anonymous wrote:My (independent) agency is implementing the paid-leave effective May 1. Anyone who has a kid before that date will be covered by our current policy (a mix of STD for moms and if a dad using up to 8 weeks of sick to care for mom and baby immediately post-birth).

I am also going to bump this thread because I would like to know which agency this is. I am guessing this is either FDIC or SEC based off of existing news articles.

I have been talking to various legislators arguing that the paid parental leave should be retroactive (similar to what is being done in this other agency's policy by allowing the leave to be used within 1 year of birth). These have been my talking points:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/15hFss28N1By7orQZY_4DmdGxnfJfocVC/view?usp=sharing

Whoever this poster is I would appreciate it you could send me a private message (on this forum by creating an account) or post some more details about this policy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My (independent) agency is implementing the paid-leave effective May 1. Anyone who has a kid before that date will be covered by our current policy (a mix of STD for moms and if a dad using up to 8 weeks of sick to care for mom and baby immediately post-birth).

We had a kid last August so we were hoping to get to use the paid leave before the 1st birthday. But my agency is not allowing that.

I have a few friends at DoS having kids this summer. They will just miss the cut off.

Would you mind sharing the name of your agency? I’m trying to compile a list. Thanks much!

Pinging again, please. If you see this, can you please share the name of your agency? Thanks very much.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I doubt it, because that was supposed to be for recovery time, and now that will be covered by the parental leave.

But you are recovering from birth, seems like an appropriate use of sick leave. You should be able to use those weeks of sick leave to recover and then the 12 weeks to bond with and care for the child.

100% agree. My guess - get a doc note for your recovery period and use your sick leave. Then use the 12 weeks under this paid leave plan. If you couldn’t do that, this hardly seems equitable- fathers get bonding time but mothers have to use it for recovery?!

My agency has already interpreted it in this manner:
Mother can use STD and/or accrued sick leave for initial 8 weeks post birth. Then PPL will be used for 12 weeks, either at once or broken up over the course of the baby’s first year.

Father can only use accrued sick leave for initial 8 weeks, then has 12 weeks PPL over the course of baby’s first year.

If you’re a dual Fed couple, you can basically have someone at home for the baby’s first 8 months if your PPL’s don’t overlap. That’s great.

Can you please share what agency you're with? Thanks very much.