The Kalona City Council has approved a change to their personnel manual adding maternity and paternity leave for city employees. Prior to this there wasn’t a paid maternity or paternity leave policy on the books, employees could use the Family Medical Leave Act for unpaid time away from work. Now, with younger staff joining the Kalona city payroll, the council believes the update is necessary. At Monday’s meeting, the council approved the change to include up to six weeks of maternity leave, and up to three weeks of paternity leave. City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh says both leaves will be paid time off and an individual can split the two leaves and use them at separate times. On the other hand, these leaves must be used in their entirety within a year. Schlabaugh mentioned at the council meeting that preparations have been made to make sure cross-training is in place so city employees can jump in and take over a position if someone is using maternity and or paternity leave.