Gravel & Shea will now offer four weeks of paid parental leave to any eligible employee upon the birth or adoption of a baby. Employees become eligible after working at the firm for one year.
In compliance with Vermont’s parental and family leave law, Gravel & Shea provides up to twelve weeks of unpaid leave to new parents, to be used at any time within the first twelve months after the birth or adoption of a baby. The firm also offered, and continues to offer, self-funded short-term disability coverage that employees can use to cover the loss of income during an extended leave period. Under the firm’s new paid parental leave policy, parents will be able to take four weeks of paid leave during the 12-week statutory leave period.
Paid parental leave is uncommon among Vermont companies, and Gravel & Shea saw an opportunity to be a leader in the community by recognizing the realities of caring for a new child and the importance of family.
“We wanted to support our employees in creating the lives outside the office that sustain them for the important work they do inside the office,” said Bob Rushford, Managing Partner of Gravel & Shea. “We really do think of Gravel & Shea as a big family. When we find great people, we want them here to stay.”
