|
 Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus said on Thursday the change was
effective immediately and would be retroactive to Jan. 1. A mother
does not have to take the leave at once but may use it within a year
of her child's birth.
"When the women in our Navy and Marine Corps answer the call to
serve, they are making the difficult choice to be away from their
children - sometimes for prolonged periods of time - so that they
can do the demanding jobs that we ask them to do," Mabus said in a
statement.
The 84 days, or 18 weeks, of leave replaces the previously
authorized 42 days, or six weeks, the Navy said.
The 18 weeks of paid leave is generous by American standards.
U.S. President Barack Obama in January directed federal government
agencies to advance six weeks of paid sick leave to workers with a
new child and asked Congress to pass legislation giving them an
additional six weeks of paid parental leave.
[to top of second column] |
(Editing by Sandra Maler)
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