Maricopa County Judicial Branch Offering Parental Leave
by Timothy Tait
PHOENIX (April 19, 2022) – Employees who are parents-to-be can look forward to a new benefit with the Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County: paid parental leave.
In a policy effective March 14, paid leave for employees who work at least 20 hours per week was approved as a way to support new parents and continue to provide top-tier benefits for existing – and prospective – employees.
The Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County – which is comprised of the Superior Court, Adult Probation Department and Juvenile Probation Department, including juvenile detention – is among the first government organizations in the state to offer paid parental leave. The policy allows for up to six weeks (240 hours) of paid leave for parents for the birth of adoption of a child; up to 480 hours is offered for multiple children.
Employees who are interested in the paid parental leave must meet qualification criteria, including being eligible to use Family and Medical Leave Act time off, and are required to repay the value of the leave should they resign from the Judicial Branch within 12 months.
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The Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County is comprised of Superior Court, Adult Probation and Juvenile Probation, which includes juvenile detention. The Judicial Branch in Maricopa County is the fourth largest trial court system in the nation and, along with its 3,000 employees, is dedicated to providing a safe, fair and impartial forum for resolving disputes, enhancing access to services, and providing innovative, evidence-based practices that improve the safety of the community and ensure the public’s trust and confidence in the Judicial Branch. For more information, visit www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov.