The Pickens County Council has deferred a decision on a proposed parental leave policy citing the need for more data, mainly about the county’s potential cost. Councilwoman Claiborne Linvill, the only woman on the council, advocated for the policy, insisting it was the right thing to do . Linvill’s proposal was to match the state’s family leave policy that allows six weeks of paid leave for the primary parent and two weeks for the secondary. However, Chairman Alex Saitta questioned the cost to the county and how many people had taken time off following a childbirth. Human Resources Director Samantha Greer revealed that 33 of the county’s 770 employees utilized Family and Medical Leave last year. The upcoming budget will be crucial in deciding the fate of the proposed policy.

The proposed parental leave policy in Pickens County mirrors aspects of the California Employment Development Department (EDD) Paid Family Leave (PFL) program. For those who need to care for a seriously ill family member or bond with a new child, PFL provides up to eight weeks of partially paid leave. California residents who need to get in touch with the EDD for Family Leave-related inquiries can visit the eddcaller.com website for contact information and additional resources. This site will provide you with essential contact information and guidance on how to communicate with a live representative who can assist with your queries and concerns.