The Women of Wal-Mart Deserve Their Day in Court to Challenge Unfair Pay
A Frightening Look at D.C.’s Restaurant Industry
Just in time for Valentine’s Day — the highest grossing day of the year for restaurants — the Restaurant Opportunities Center of Washington, D.C., (ROC-DC) has released a comprehensive analysis of workplace policies in the city’s restaurant industry.
San Francisco Paid Sick Days Law Is A Proven Success
A new study released today shows that San Francisco’s Paid Sick Leave Ordinance (PSLO) — the first citywide paid sick days standard in the country — has been proven a success.
On the FMLA Anniversary, Let’s Focus on the Unmet Needs of Working Families
18 years. That’s how long the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) has been in place. It was the first bill President Clinton signed into law and it remains one of the proudest accomplishments of his presidency.
California Passes the Nation’s Paid Family Leave Test
More than eight years ago, California lawmakers showed a historic commitment to working families in their state by establishing the nation’s first paid family leave program. Earlier this month, six-and-a-half years after the program was implemented, the results of its test are in—and they send a compelling message to employers, workers and lawmakers throughout the country.
Real Family Values
Every year roughly four million women give birth in the United States, and most of them (more than three-quarters) start out breastfeeding. Study after study has affirmed the value of breastfeeding in protecting both mothers and children from a host of acute and chronic diseases and conditions, saving billions in health care costs. Breastfeeding mothers also report feeling more closely bonded with their babies—a factor which may lower the risk of postpartum depression.
Shame on Them!
For decades, women and families have been penalized by punitive and predatory insurance practices that have restricted their access to quality, affordable care. But the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is changing that. It is the greatest advance for women’s health in a generation.
Record High Number of Discrimination Claims Alarming
Last week, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)—the agency that enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination—announced that charges of discrimination hit an unprecedented level in 2010. News coverage over the past few days has focused on who or what is to blame, and what this could mean for the future.
New Data a Sobering Reminder that Nation’s Policies are Failing Millions of Workers, Families
Few workplace policies in the United States recognize the dual demands of work and family. Our lack of a paid sick time standard is a prime example.
An Important Step Toward Economic Security for Women of Color
We often talk about the importance of a for families’ economic security and our public health — but paid sick days are also an issue of basic fairness.
A Step in the Right Direction
Our country needs more adequate, reasonable and flexible sick leave policies. Tens of millions of workers in this country don’t have a single paid sick day. Many of those who do can’t use them to meet their family’s health needs. As a result, kids and their parents are forced to go to school or work sick, contagion spreads, and public health suffers.
Continuing the March toward Equality
A few weeks ago, voters sent a clear message: They want Congress to work in a bipartisan manner to address the issues facing working families. But when Senators took their first vote after returning to Washington, they missed the chance to do just that. Yesterday’s vote on the Paycheck Fairness Act was a failed opportunity and a real disappointment for all of us who care about fairness, women’s progress, and economic security for working families.
Paid Sick Days Champion Wins Connecticut Governorship
Dan Malloy, former mayor of Stamford, Connecticut, and staunch supporter of paid sick days, was elected governor of Connecticut earlier this month — demonstrating the importance of paid sick days to working families in Connecticut, and the power the issue can have in an election.
Final Hour for Fair Pay?!
Today, the Senate returns to Washington — and the Paycheck Fairness Act is one of the first bills on its agenda. Passing the Paycheck Fairness Act is more important than ever.
Success is Inevitable
Today’s working families are juggling ‘Ozzie and Harriet’ policies in a web 2.0 world, and it’s simply not sustainable. Workers are struggling to care for their families while both parents hold jobs. Families are straining to meet increasing child- and eldercare responsibilities. Parents have little savings to fall back on, and few jobs – and even fewer good jobs – to apply for, should they lose the jobs they have.
Changing the Game: Workplace Flexibility for All
The National Partnership was pleased to be invited to participate in the National Dialogue on Workplace Flexibility in smaller businesses, sponsored by the White House and U.S. Department of Labor in Dallas, Texas last month. This event was the first of four National Dialogue on Workplace Flexibility events, scheduled for 2010 and 2011. Next up is a regional event in Atlanta next week focused on workplace flexibility in the health care industry.
The Imperative to Protect Women’s Economic Security
President Obama has made protecting women’s economic security a priority since Day One.
UPDATE: Speaker Quinn Won’t Move on NYC Paid Sick Time Act
City Council Speaker Christine Quinn’s decision to oppose the New York City Paid Sick Time Act — despite a supermajority in the City Council that is in favor of the bill — is incredibly disappointing.
Heard on the Hill: The Healthy Families Act Promotes Economic Security & Public Health
As Members of Congress campaign for votes at home, the National Partnership for Women & Families and two of our key allies have been hard at work educating Congressional staff about the public health and economic security case for paid sick days policies.
The Gap that Keeps on Giving: Paycheck Unfairness Hurts in Retirement Too
It is well-documented that the wage gap hurts women and their families by denying them the fair wages that would help them pay for essential items like groceries, gasoline, and rent or mortgage payments. But the pay gap hurts women long after they have left the workforce, too.