Resolution 19-04 Concerning Proposed Policy for Paid Parental Leave
RESOLUTION OF THE EMPLOYEE FORUM
THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL
August 29, 2019
WHEREAS the Mission of the Employee Forum is to address constructively the concerns of the Employees of The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, including the representation of staff concerns to the Chancellor, University officials, and the University community; and
WHEREAS, these concerns include UNC’s commitment to hire and retain the top candidates for its faculty and staff; and
WHEREAS, the University has an interest in helping its employees to balance the demands of the workplace with the needs of families, to promote the stability and economic security of families, and to promote national interests in preserving family integrity; and
WHEREAS, the Governor of North Carolina has signaled his support for paid parental leave through issuance of an executive order in May 2019 that would allow state employees in agencies he oversees to be eligible for paid parental leave; and
WHEREAS, UNC System Interim President Roper, in a letter dated August 23, 2019, indicated that the UNC system will present a proposal to the UNC Board of Governors at its September meeting to approve a paid parental leave benefit that is “Largely equivalent to the provisions of the Governor’s executive order;” and
WHEREAS, the Board of Governors must approve employee leave policies for EHRA employees and Interim President Roper indicated an intent to simultaneously implement such a leave for SHRA employees upon Board approval;
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Employee Forum of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is in strong support of the Interim President’s proposal of paid parental leave, provided that the policy is inclusive of all employee parents welcoming children into their families, if otherwise eligible for leave.
THEREFORE, the Employee Forum recommends that the Chancellor and their designees convey and support publicly the approval of the proposed paid parental leave policy at the September meeting of the Board of Governors.
Signed on behalf of the Employee Forum,
Shayna Hill,
Chair