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Washington D.C. – The National Treasury Employees Union announced today its support of the Federal Employee Paid Leave Act, which would give federal employees up to 12 weeks of paid leave to care for a new child, a sick relative or a serious personal medical condition.

NTEU National President Tony Reardon joined the lead sponsor of the bill, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA), and other members at a news conference on Capitol Hill.

“Rep. Maloney knows very well how important it is for the federal government to be able to recruit and retain the best frontline workers, and this legislation is critical to that effort,” Reardon said. “Federal employees are just like everyone else: They have people who depend on them and they can’t afford to lose income when they have to devote themselves to that effort full time for a few days.”

The Federal Employee Paid Leave Act would put the federal government in the lead in creating a workplace that is truly pro-family. It recognizes the growing need in the modern workforce for employees to be able to take time off for important life events without losing income, going into debt, or leaving the workplace altogether.

“We’ve all been there, whether it’s a newborn or an elderly parent. Our families need us and we shouldn’t have to choose between them or our paychecks,” Reardon said.

Paid family leave, a benefit already offered by some private companies, would reduce turnover in the federal workforce by improving morale, loyalty and job satisfaction. It would also appeal to younger workers who are less likely to have large amounts of sick time, vacation time or financial savings.

Reardon called on Congress to approve this bill to help the government’s leave policy meet 21^st century standards.

NTEU represents 150,000 employees at 33 federal agencies and departments.