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The City of Portland ordains:

Section 1.  The Council finds:

1. The proposed HRAR rule revisions were revised to incorporate feedback since the 2020 fall review and subsequent Citywide administrative rules work group review that’s taken place 2020-2021. The work group looked at best practices from other jurisdictions and worked on clarifying the City’s policies and rules in this area, ensuring we are upholding the highest ethical standards and serving the interests of the community.
2. Revisions are necessary to HRAR 6.08, Funeral and Bereavement Leave, to clarify and expand on examples of what constitutes as bereavement leave and eligibly. The City recognizes that there are many different types of relationships and need for bereavement leave that aren’t represented or defined in the current rule.
3. This rule revision would allow employees to take paid bereavement leave for the death of (1) a relative or (2) any individual related by close affinity (#1 and #2 are collectively referred to as a “qualifying decedent”); or (3) due to pregnancy loss including miscarriage, stillbirth, or other loss. Employees seeking leave for Pregnancy Loss do not need to disclose the specific form of pregnancy loss they encountered in the certification or in any conversation seeking leave unless the employee desires to disclose.
4. The revision defines “an individual related by close affinity” as relationships such as unmarried partners, household members, “chosen family,” and any person with whom the employee has a significant personal bond that is like a familial relationship, regardless of biological or legal relationship. The rule revision further clarifies that contract consultants, temporary employees employed through outside agencies, and seasonal employees are not eligible for bereavement leave.
5. The proposed revisions are consistent with City Council’s commitment to become an Employer of Choice, adopted in resolution 37234 September 2016, by fostering a family-friendly workplace. Extending the eligibility for bereavement and funeral leave will enhance the City’s efforts to recruit new employees in an increasingly competitive market, a critical need as one third of the City’s current workforce is eligible to retire.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs:

1. Human Resources Administrative Rule 6.08 Funeral and Bereavement Leave is hereby amended in accordance with Exhibit A, effective September 29, 2021.