Last month, Gov. Rick Snyder dealt a blow to democracy by gutting the state’s paid sick time law. This was just one of the intentional subversions of democratic process that occurred in Michigan and Wisconsin in the lame duck sessions.
Helping Men Care: Father’s Day is the Perfect Time to Fight for Paid Leave
Today’s dads aren’t the same as their own fathers. One indication of the change is the fact that fathers in the United States have nearly tripled the time they spend caring for children since 1965. But our paternity leave policies and the uptake of leave haven’t kept up with the change. It’s time to press the update button.
Let’s Press for Progress on Gender Equality Through a Strong U.S. Paid Leave Policy
On International Women’s Day, it is difficult to ignore the fact that the United States is an international outlier when it comes to paid leave.
Fighting for Families Means Fighting for National Paid Family and Medical Leave
As part of SiX’s 2018 #FightingForFamilies Week of Action, Vicki Shabo comments on the 25th anniversary of the Family and Medical Leave Act and importance of a national paid leave plan that doesn’t leave anyone behind.
New Federal Proposal Would Take Away Hard-Fought Paid Sick Days Protections
Federal lawmakers seek to thwart paid sick days progress and undermine state and local victories through a new bill introduced this week. Contrary to proponents’ claims, the so-called Workflex in the 21st Century Act – H.R. 4219 – would not guarantee paid sick days and could actually make it less certain that working people have the sick time they need.
Paid Sick Days are Critical for Workers’ Mental Health Too
World Mental Health Day offers an opportunity to break down the stigma surrounding mental illness. It is also a reminder of the need to promote policies, such as paid sick days, that would help those living with a mental illness.
Rhode Island Becomes Eighth State With a Paid Sick Days Law
Gov. Gina Raimondo signed the Healthy and Safe Families and Workplaces Act today, making Rhode Island the eighth state to enact a paid sick days law and bringing the national total to 40 jurisdictions with such laws nationwide. Some 100,000 Rhode Islanders will gain the right to earn paid sick time when the law takes effect in July.
15 Years, Five Key Lessons: California Continues to Lead the Nation Toward Paid Leave for All
With recent attention to the country’s dismal record of making paid leave available to workers, and growing consensus around the need for a national solution, it’s easy to forget the decades of work and milestone victories that have made this moment possible. One of the first happened 15 years ago this week, when California created the nation’s first state paid family leave program.
New School Year, Same Uncertainty for Parents Without Paid Sick Days
For kids, heading back to school can be an anxious and exciting time – figuring out new routines, adjusting to different teachers and classmates and navigating changes in social and academic environments… Employed parents stress about changes too, but the millions of moms, dads and caregivers without paid sick time also have to worry about cold and flu season and what will happen if their kids get sick.
Stand Up for Workers and Unions This Labor Day
Working people and organizations across the country are coming together to stand up and speak out to remind elected officials that America needs strong workplace protections – and strong unions.
America’s Moms Deserve Better Than Policies That Leave Them Behind
Trump’s budget proposal includes dramatic changes to health care and a very limited paid leave policy that ignores the importance of medical leave for new moms.
A National Paid Leave Plan Must Check All the Boxes
Lawmakers must not forget the principles that make a sound, effective policy — or the stories of people that illustrate why they are so important.
Voters in Arizona and Washington Choose Paid Sick Days
Capping off an already historic year of progress for paid sick days, voters in Arizona and Washington approved ballot measures last week that will mean the nation will soon have seven statewide paid sick days laws. Thirty-nine jurisdictions now do – or will soon – guarantee workers the right to earn paid sick time, and efforts to protect and build upon these victories has become even more important.
We Cannot Remain a Nation of Paid Leave Haves and Have-Nots
New data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics illustrate how far the country still has to go when it comes to paid leave access.
What Advice Would You Give Young Women in the Workplace?
MTV asked that question as it announced its 79% Work Clock and effort to call attention to the gender wage gap. This was my response.
Promising Paid Sick Time News for Nearly 830,000 More Workers
Right on schedule, the U.S. Department of Labor today proposed a rule that will ultimately give 828,000 workers who service federal contracts expanded access to paid sick time, including nearly 437,000 workers who are currently not guaranteed a single paid sick day. This is a much-needed and encouraging step toward implementing the executive order President Obama issued on Labor Day.
We Should Be Talking About When America Guarantees Paid Leave — Not If
Two years after the FAMILY Act was first introduced, paid leave is on the horizon in the United States.
Paid Leave and The Raising of America
Why do we, as a nation, make it so difficult for our children to thrive? How can we do better? These are the important questions asked in a powerful new film.
Having a Family Friendly Workplace Should Not Depend on Winning the ‘Boss Lottery’
National Boss Day is a reminder that, for millions of Americans, having a family friendly workplace is like winning the lottery.
New Paid Leave Investment, Business Coalition Pave the Way for Even More Progress
New state and local paid leave grants and a unique coalition of companies committed to advancing paid leave are helping pave the way for the national program the country needs.
