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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We need family leave — but not at the expense of retirement benefits – CNN
Rather than further stressing our retirement system, a paid leave plan that is supported with very modest payroll contributions would ensure that American families have access to paid leave when they need it without compromising their ability to retire on time.
Why people of faith are speaking up about paid family leave – Deseret News
[New father Charlie] Camosy’s support for paid family leave doesn’t stem only from his positive personal experience. He feels called to advocate for it because of his Catholic faith, which teaches that both work and parenthood are important pursuits.
A National Paid Family Leave Program Would Boost America’s Small Businesses – Morning Consult
The absence of a paid family and medical leave policy in the United States is hurting my employees and my business. It doesn’t have to be this way, however, because a plan to solve this problem has been on the table for years – only Congress declined to act on it.
Momentum on paid family leave is building – Denver Post
A paid leave policy designed to support workers who suddenly find themselves managing a crisis like this – not just the anticipated time off needed for childbirth, but also the sudden care need presented by a diagnosis of cancer, stroke, or even a happy but sudden adoption notification – would be a policy designed for robust voter support. Not everyone will plan to give birth, but who among us can say that we will never face an unexpected health crisis in our own family?
Christians are calling for better family leave policies. That wasn’t always the case. – Vox
A prominent Christian think tank has come out fiercely in favor of better family leave policies, defending federally mandated family leave policies on theological grounds.
Black Workers Need “Real” Not “Fake” Paid Family Leave – North Dallas Gazette
The “fake” paid family leave option, restricts participation to only maternity leave and diverts social security funds to pay for the program. […] For most Black women, social security makes up at least half of their income stream during retirement, according to the 2014 Black Women in the United States report by the Black Women’s Roundtable.
Paid family leave: While US lags behind, more states set policies – The Christian Science Monitor
[Rhode Island state senator Gayle Goldin] says Rhode Island’s program has won over small business owners who were initially opposed, and has become a selling point for companies recruiting staff to work there. “It’s important not only because they [employees] think they’ll need the leave, but also about the values of the state…. It sets the tone for workplace culture,” she says.
A policy is born: Paid family leave for city employees – Arizona Daily Sun
Councilmember Eva Putzova, who pushed for the [paid leave] measure to be included in this year’s budget, agreed. “At some point it’s difficult to talk about family values and not follow through,” said Putzova, adding that in Slovakia, where she grew up, such a benefit is seen as almost a right.
How Portland can stand up for the health, dignity of LGBTQ workers – Bangor Daily News
Why is this broad definition [of ‘family’] so important [for paid sick days laws], and whom does it most impact? Well, for starters, lots of folks in the LGBTQ+ population.
Gov. Charlie Baker signs $15 minimum wage, paid family leave into law – Mass Live
A new mother in Massachusetts will get paid time off to care for her baby, beginning in 2021. A son will get paid time off to care for his ailing parent.
U.S. Navy establishes Military Parental Leave Program, hopes to recruit and keep Sailors – WHNT
One military branch modified their parental leave policy by combining and increasing the current family leave policy late June as one to help new and current members.
Study: Men Want to Do More Caregiving, but Can’t – Slate
Though a majority of Americans support paid family leave (though they may disagree over how to provide it), new research out in time for Father’s Day suggests insufficient paid leave as well as social expectations prevent fathers from caring for their children as much as they’d like.
Oh baby! This had to be the cutest Statehouse rally ever. – NJ.com
Parents, clergy and lawmakers participating in the “Think Babies” demonstration in Trenton spoke broadly about the need for more affordable child care and a more generous paid family leave law that would double time off from six weeks to 12 weeks after a child is born or adopted.
For more US parents, paid family leave becomes reality – The Christian Science Monitor
With a growing sense that the US is being left behind by a lack of family-friendly policies, and as more evidence shows that there are advantages to families when such programs are in place, there’s some movement at the federal and local levels, but states are driving change
Honor our mothers by giving them the paid family leave they deserve – The Hill
The U.S. can’t afford outdated policies that reduce the growth of the economy; working mothers can no longer accept a situation that creates stress and leads to lost income.