It’s been 25 years since the Family and Medical Leave Act was approved by the federal government, and in the years since then, half of the states haven’t moved beyond the basics related to protection of unpaid leave.
Dangerous Jobs Also Put Workers at Risk of Opioid Dependency – The Nation
Yet for an epidemic that often festers in private, this study [by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health] also points to a solution in the workplace: keeping workers safe, first and foremost, and if they do get hurt, ensuring “Access to care, support, and the means to take time off of work with pay.”
Seven Health Organizations File Lawsuit Against Short-Term, Limited-Duration Plan Final Rule
Groups say these plans undermine consumer protections for people with pre-existing conditions, may discriminate on age, gender or health status
A need for paid family leave – Robesonian
Some seniors are still participating in the workforce, and have no support in the event of serious illness or injury. Others are themselves caregivers for their family members. But all seniors would benefit from paid leave one way or the other.
We’re Not Listening to Mothers: New California Survey Reveals a Disconnect Between the Care Women Seek and the Care They Get in Childbirth
74% of women say childbirth should not be interfered with unless medically necessary, yet only 5% gave birth without major intervention
Paid Sick Leave Laws? No Problem, Say Small-Business Owners – Inc.
As more cities mandate paid sick days for workers, the reaction from many small businesses is a big, so what?
Stalled Progress: New Census Data Show No Gains on the Gender Wage Gap or Women’s Insurance Rates
New data released by the U.S. Census Bureau today reveal that we still have much progress to make around providing health insurance to women and families and closing the wage gap, according to analysis by the National Partnership for Women & Families. The National...
‘They have taken away our vote’: Michigan approves minimum-wage hike and paid sick leave, setting up clash – Washington Post
“Paid sick leave, minimum-wage hikes, higher taxes on the rich for teachers — these are all overwhelmingly popular among both Democratic and Republican voters,” Saru Jayaraman, an academic at the University of California at Berkeley and co-founder of Restaurant Opportunities Centers United, which has pushed raising the wage for tipped workers. “Ballot measures are the greatest path to allow working people to move the issues they believe in, but they’re being subverted.”
Paid Family Leave Supporters Hit Campaign Trail – Bloomberg
“Family leave may not be seen a dominant issue in this election cycle but it certainly is very salient to the substantial number of voters that struggle with providing care to family members,” said Chris Borick, a professor of political science at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa.
Republican Victory in ACA Case Being Argued in Texas Today Would ‘Bring More Suffering and Sickness’ to Our Country
Statement of Debra L. Ness, President, National Partnership for Women & Families
Legislature passes wage hike, paid sick leave but it’s not that simple – Detroit Free Press
Danielle Atkinson, founder of Michigan Time to Care, which spearheaded the paid sick leave proposal, was grateful for the approval of the proposal, but said that her group will now spend its time making sure it’s not gutted after the election.
Women’s Leader on Kavanaugh Vote: Lawmakers Must ‘Put People Over Party’
Statement of Debra L. Ness, President, National Partnership for Women & Families
FAMILY Act is an investment in infants, toddlers and families – Des Moines Register
While preparing to welcome our second child, Karter, my family faced a difficult choice. I could keep my job, earning barely enough to get by and missing out on critical time to nurture my baby, or I could stay home with him, giving up my job to live in poverty.
How schools are failing working parents — and how some are helping – Washington Post
When it comes to schools providing care, the problem is largely one of funding, says Debra Ness, president of the National Partnership for Women and Families. The federal government, she says, should do more to help. A cohesive federal policy to fund after-school care, rather than what she calls today’s “patchwork” of programs, would “ease the burden on local school districts.”
25% of Women Have Turned Down a Job Because of the Benefits Package. Here’s How Employers Can Fix That. – Medium
[M]any employers aren’t making it easy for [women] with their limited family leave policies, rigid cultures and business models that, in practice, often really don’t support working parents.
Does Your Company Offer Paid Sick Leave? Here’s Why It Should – The Journal Times
The problem with policies that don’t distinguish between leisure time and sick time, however, is that workers often will go to great lengths to avoid taking off for the latter. As such, many have a tendency to come to work sick, which pretty much benefits no one.
Kavanaugh’s Misleading Statement on Abortion and Cohen’s Guilty Plea Should Halt Confirmation
Statement of Debra L. Ness, President, National Partnership for Women & Families
Pushing for paid sick leave in the workplace – Spectrum News
The county legislature is considering a bill to require all employers provide some sick time, even for part-time workers – although the smallest businesses would be able to make it unpaid. [Includes video.]
Teachers donating sick days is a symptom of a wretched system – CNN
Donating sick and vacation days may seem like a thoughtful way to have a colleague’s back, but it’s also a spotlight on a gaping need to fix an utterly broken system.
Amaya Smith Is New Vice President for Marketing and Communications at National Partnership for Women & Families
Washington, D.C. — The National Partnership for Women & Families — which advocates for fairness in the workplace, access to quality, affordable health care, reproductive health and rights, and policies that help women and men meet the dual demands of work...
