Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signed a new executive order on Monday that strengthens paid parental leave for state employees.
The order grants six additional weeks of paid leave for "childbirth recovery" or eight weeks for employees who gave birth via a cesarean section, which benefits new mothers. Braun's signing of the executive order signals his openness to taking future actions in the private sector.
Increased Paid Parental Leave
During the signing of the new executive order, the Indiana governor said that under the previous provisions, new mothers struggled to get time off to recover from the physical toll of childbirth. They typically did this by combining maternity leave with six sick days and reducing their salary while on medical leave.
The new policy applies to full-time and part-time employees as well as staff who lose a child in utero at 20 weeks or more. Braun added that the unexpected loss of a baby is a difficult thing to endure and process for a mother, according to the Indiana Capital Chronicle.
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Braun noted that he is using the executive order to help new mothers because he wants the state of Indiana to give them time off to recover. The governor also scheduled the executive order signing for Saturday, International Women's Day.
The latest development also expands Indiana's current paid parental leave of four weeks for new parents who have been employed for at least six months. Braun removed the six-month requirement, but newer employees get less time off and "must" agree to work for one full year following their return.
Benefits of Having More Time Off
The benefits of paid parental leave are not only to give families more time to spend together but also to have other benefits. Experts have observed that mothers who are on paid leave show fewer cases of postpartum depression and quicker recovery times, WNDU reported.
Dr. Michelle Migliore from the St. Joseph County Department of Health said that paid maternity leave gives mothers a sense of peace of mind, allowing them to relax a bit more. This means they do not have to worry about whether they will pay their bills on time or how they will take care of their child.
Braun said in a statement that strong families are the cornerstone of strong communities, which means that they must have quality time for their newest members. He added that employers should do everything they can to accommodate their employees' needs when they become new parents, as per Fox59.
