CHARLESTON COUNTY – Facing recruitment hurdles and retention difficulties, Charleston County is considering a revision of its paid time off (PTO) policy, with particular attention to the introduction of paid family leave.
Charleston County, the second-largest county in South Carolina, employing approximately 2,300 individuals, currently does not offer paid parental leave, a benefit increasingly sought-after in a competitive job market.
During an October meeting of the County Council, Patricia Holden, the Human Resources Director, addressed the pressing issue of recruitment challenges in the county. Some members of the council expressed their belief that altering the PTO policy could help mitigate these challenges, although opinions differed on the best approach.
Proponents of a paid parental leave policy argue that it could enhance recruitment and retention by accommodating employees who wish to start a family. However, critics contend that such a policy might be perceived as unfair to those who cannot have children or choose not to, and could potentially incur significant costs.
Federal law safeguards employees from termination when taking time off to care for a newborn but does not mandate paid leave. Many employees are compelled to rely on their accumulated vacation and sick days if they wish to be paid during parental leave.
Kaitlin Cornwell-Goulooze, an Assistant Public Defender with nearly two years of service in Charleston County, emphasized that employees should not have to depend solely on sick leave and vacation days when planning to start a family. She shared her own experience, revealing the stress of allocating her precious time off, considering her past surgeries and COVID-19 illnesses.
Cameron Blazer, Charleston County’s Public Defender, expressed the loss of a talented lawyer within the last year due, in part, to the absence of paid parental leave. Blazer acknowledged the challenges of maintaining service continuity when essential team members are absent for extended periods but emphasized the value of retaining dedicated public servants in the long term.
Cornwell-Goulooze has been actively advocating for a paid parental leave policy, frequently participating in monthly meetings and gathering opinions from her colleagues through surveys. She reported that over 130 people supported the implementation of a parental leave policy.
Michael Intini, an investigator in the 9th Circuit Solicitor’s Office and a father of five, voiced his support for paid parental leave, even though he no longer expects to benefit personally. He recounted the challenges his wife faced after childbirth due to his return to work.
Councilman Rob Wehrman spearheaded the county’s efforts to establish PTO for new parents, emphasizing that it is the right thing to do and that it will help Charleston County remain competitive in a labor market where more employers are offering this benefit.
The United States has been slower than many other developed countries in adopting paid family leave policies. As of 2023, only about one in four workers in the U.S. had access to such a policy, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Similar statistics apply to both private and public-sector employees.
The Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development reported in December 2022 that paid maternity leave in 38 member countries averages 18.5 weeks, while the U.S. notably lacks a national program offering such benefits.
Although South Carolina is not among the thirteen states, including Washington, D.C., that provide paid family and medical leave to all workers, there have been recent efforts by various governments within the state to introduce paid parental leave benefits.
An October 2022 law provides six weeks of paid leave to state employees in South Carolina who give birth or adopt a child. A secondary caregiver can take two weeks of paid leave.
Initially, the law excluded public school district employees, but state legislators extended the policy earlier this year. The city of Charleston also followed suit, offering up to four weeks of paid maternity leave to its employees, resulting in a noticeable reduction in turnover rates between 2022 and 2023.
Earlier this month, Richland County became one of the first counties in South Carolina to offer paid parental leave. The policy, taking effect in January, grants eligible county employees six weeks of PTO for new parents or co-parents.
Charleston County Council’s Human Resources committee directed staff in September to develop a parental leave policy similar to those of the state and the city of Charleston. However, several council members raised concerns about the policy’s costs, potential budget cuts, and the exclusion of employees who require time off for reasons other than parental leave.
