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MoDOT Follows Gov. Greitens' Parental Leave Policy

The Missouri Department of Transportation announced it would follow Gov. Eric Greitens' parental leave policy Thursday morning.

The policy calls for six weeks of paid leave for Missouri state employees who are primary caregivers. Secondary caregivers can receive three weeks. Parents paid leave starts after birth or an adoption. The policy only pertains to state executive branch agencies.

MoDOT Outreach Coordinator Robert Brendel said this was the best decision for employees.

We just wanted to come out and say we fully agree with him and we think it’s the best policy for our employees and we’re going to work to establish a consistent policy a long with the other agencies,” Brendel said.

The maximum time allowed or paid leave will be up to 12 weeks.

Before Greitens’ decision, some parents would have to use either sick days or vacation days to care for their newborns.

He decided to push this policy after receiving a letter from state Auditor Nicole Galloway asking him to approve the parental leave policy. Galloway said she was very passionate about enforcing the policy.

“I’ve called for policies that are supportive of working families and I’m glad to see the governor take this executive action,” Galloway said.

Greitens shared his statement with viewers on Facebook. Part of his statement connected with parents by stating his personal experiences.

“Both Sheena and I are working parents, and we know how hard it is to balance work and parenting,” Greitens said.