Treasurer’s office to allow employees to bring babies to work

Soon every day may be ‘Bring Your Child To Work Day’ at the Nevada State Treasurer’s Office.

Democratic Treasurer Zach Conine on Thursday announced a pilot program that will allow his employees to bring with them to work infants who are 6 months or younger.

According to the press release, employees who want to participate will notify their supervisor that they would like to participate and work with them to create a work plan and address any necessary accommodations.

Erik Jimenez, Conine’s chief policy director, said an employee within the office suggested the program while she was pregnant and is now its first participant.

The announcement comes less than a month after Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo’s executive order directing all state employees to return to in-person offices by July 1 and directing his department of administration “to review and make recommendations with respect to hiring, retention and promotional rules and procedures related to state employment.”

“It’s no secret that Nevada is facing a high number of vacancies for state positions,” said Conine in a statement. “Through this new pilot program, the Treasurer’s Office will do its best to support new and expectant parents, while also creating an environment that supports working families.”

The Treasurer’s Office reports having a 7% vacancy rate — significantly better than the statewide vacancy rate of 24%.

Jimenez says the office currently employs 46 people.

“The Treasurer’s Office is hopeful that other state agencies will consider implementing similar policies to decrease staff vacancies, recruit high-quality public servants, and promote more family-friendly employment policies,” the press release concluded.

The Treasurer’s Office is not the first state agency to embrace family-friendly employment policies. All six divisions within Nevada’s Department of Health and Human Services allow new parents to bring their infants. Approximately 170 employees and their infants have taken advantage of the benefit, according to a “Nevada Worksite Wellness” website setup by DHHS to promote inclusive workplace programs.

The State of Nevada does not offer paid maternity leave, according to its official employee handbook. Employees can use a combination of sick leave, annual leave, compensatory time, leave without pay and short-term disability. Employees may also be covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), though that federal act only entitles new parents to unpaid time off.

[Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to include information about baby-friendly practices at other public agencies within Nevada.]