By Kimberly Colander

(AXcess News) Washington - The House of Representatives plans to debate and vote Thursday evening on a bill that would guarantee paid leave for federal government employees who give birth to or adopt a child.

Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., prime sponsor of the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Bill, said at a press conference earlier in the day that the federal government does not offer its employees paid time off for a new child. The bill would provide four weeks of paid leave to federal employees for the birth or adoption of a child.

The federal government has more than 2 million employees, making it the largest employer in the country. "The federal government should be a leader in family-friendly workplace policies, but we are lagging behind," Maloney said.

According to a press release from Maloney, 75 percent of Fortune 100 companies provide paid parental leave to employees, and 168 other countries provide parents with parental leave.

"The United States is the only developed country without paid leave," Kim Gandy, president of the National Organization for Women, said. Gandy said the bill is the right thing to do competitively because of the number of people that the government employs.

Maloney's press release said private employers that offer paid parental leave are more appealing to young workers because of benefits and higher salaries. More than half of federal workers are expected to retire in the next five years. The bill would make federal jobs more alluring to new workers needed to fill positions.

The bill would cost an estimated $140 million, or what agencies save when employees take unpaid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

"Some say the government can't afford to do so in times like these; I say we can't afford not to, as more and more families are relying on just one paycheck," Maloney said. 

A spokesman for Maloney said she became interested in the subject when she became the first New York council member to give birth while in office.

John Gage, national president of the American Federation of Government Employees, said, "Hard economic times are exactly the right time for the government to take responsible action on behalf of families. ... The bill is an investment in the federal workforce and an investment in their families."

Gage said the bill gives equal treatment to mothers and fathers.

"Many employers say that their policies are 'family-friendly,' but it's past time for the federal government to 'walk the walk' when it comes to paid parental leave," Maloney said.

Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., is the sponsor of the Senate version of the bill. "We're behind-way behind," Webb said of the country's parental leave laws.

Webb said federal employees should be given the same opportunity for family-friendly benefits that are offered in the private sector.

The bill is being reviewed by a Senate subcommittee, which is expected to take action after the House votes.

Source: Scripps Howard Foundation Wire