The mayor of St. Petersburg announced Wednesday that city employees will soon get paid family leave.
Starting in 2015, city employees will get six weeks of paid parental leave after the birth, adoption or foster-care intake of a child, Mayor Rick Kriseman said.
The policy applies to both men and women who are full-time employees of the City of St. Petersburg.
Kriseman and Deputy Mayor Kanika Tomalin said they believe the new benefit will increase productivity and worker morale. Officials also pointed to research that shows paid leave increases the likelihood that employees will return to work after taking family leave.
Kriseman said he hopes local employers will consider adopting similar policies.
The policy takes effect Jan. 1.