VocalEssence announced today a new paid parental leave program for employees, providing eight weeks of paid leave for the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a new child. The program will be available to mothers and fathers equally.

“We are proud to provide this important benefit to our employees to ease some of the burden and worry that new parents face,” said VocalEssence Executive Director Mary Ann Aufderheide.

VocalEssence new paid parental leave program includes the following highlights:

• Regular Full-Time Employees will be provided up to eight weeks of paid leave for the purpose of caring for or bonding with a new child.
• Employees become eligible for the benefit after working with VocalEssence for 90 days.
• Employees must take the leave in one continuous period within one year from the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child.
• The leave may be supplemented with other sick leave, vacation, or unpaid time, up to a maximum of 12 job-protected weeks as per the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
• VocalEssence will provide health insurance benefits (both medical and dental) for the duration of the 8-week parental leave and any supplemental leave time, up to a maximum of 12 weeks. The cost of health insurance premiums will be shared by VocalEssence and the employee.

“The paid parental leave will allow VocalEssence to be more competitive with the private sector in attracting the next generation of top talent,” added Executive Director Aufderheide.

The new program is effective now, following a formal ratification of the agreement by the VocalEssence Executive Committee of the Board.