Maine’s largest private employer adds paid parental leave

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - The largest private employer in Maine plans to add paid parental leave to its list of benefits for employees.

The Portland Press Herald reports MaineHealth will make the change on Oct. 1. It will join several of the largest employers in the state in offering some kind of paid leave for parents after the birth or adoption of a child.

MaineHealth is based in Portland. Its benefits for new parents will include four weeks of full-pay leave. The benefits will apply to mothers who give birth, parents who do not give birth and parents who adopt.

The state’s second-largest employer, Hannaford Supermarkets, announced last month that it would add paid parental leave for many employees.