DETROIT — Ford Motor Co. is significantly expanding the amount of paid time off for new fathers and mothers among its U.S. salaried workers.

Effective today, Nov. 1, the automaker will allow new fathers eight weeks of paid time off, up from two weeks. It will allow new mothers 14 to 16 weeks of paid time off, up from eight to 10 weeks.

Ford says six of the eight weeks must be taken consecutively, while the remaining two weeks can be taken intermittently. All must be taken within one year of the a child's birth, adoption or foster placement.

The automaker communicated the moves internally to employees late last month. It's expected to announce the changes publicly later today.

Additionally, Ford will begin to allow new parents to work part time for four weeks at full-time pay once their paternity or maternity leave is up as they transition back to work.

It will also let U.S. salaried employees use all 80 hours of their alloted sick days for personal business, like caring for a sick family member.

Ford began offering paternity leave last year, when it allowed new fathers to take 10 days of paid time off. New mothers were previously allowed to take 10 days in addition to their already allotted six to eight weeks under Ford's salaried disability plan.