A recent survey of 1,000 likely voters, commissioned by American Women, the National Partnership for Women & Families and the Rockefeller Family Fund, shows that a broad demographic swath of voters support family-friendly legislation and will cast their votes accordingly. The poll indicates voters are in favor of policy changes, including making it harder for employers to pay women less than men for similar work, guaranteeing workers the ability to earn paid sick time, and creating a national paid family and medical leave fund.

Women are far less likely than men to get paid leave from their workplaces, according to a new survey commissioned by American Women, the National Partnership for Women & Families, and the Rockefeller Family Fund.

“These new data confirm what people across the country have long known, and what too many members of Congress have yet to address – that our nation’s workplace policies are out of sync with real life in this era, and women and families suffer terribly as a result,” Ness said in a statement to HuffPost.

Throughout the country, Ness said, workers need the chance to earn paid sick days so they can “recover from illness and care for sick children and family members.”

Debra L. Ness, president of the National Partnership for Women & Families, praised Obama for addressing the issue, but said he can do more to promote pay equity.

“The way people experience these issues isn’t necessarily in buckets,” said Vicki Shabo, director of work and family programs at the National Partnership for Women and Families. “The same person may be paid less than her male co-worker and therefore can’t afford child care, and when her kid gets sick she can’t take leave.”

On the other hand, Vicki Shabo of the National Partnership for Women and Families says paid leave can be a lifesaver for workers. She says more women than ever are breadwinners for their families even as they remain the primary caregiver.