On January 15, 2015, President Obama signed a memo that would extend advance sick leave to federal employees with a new child through birth, adoption, or foster placement. This would allow new parents to borrow on future sick leave that is not yet accrued. There is no cost associated with advancing sick leave, as it is already covered in agency budgets for salaries and expenses.

Additionally, the President is encouraging Congress to provide federal employees with six weeks of paid parental administrative leave to bring the United States standards closer to those set by other industrialized nations. Federal employees currently receive no paid leave upon becoming parents; instead, they must use their own vacation and sick days, or take unpaid leave.