Subscribe to the RSS feed.Paid Family Leave - Is it a public health issue?
By: CHP | Posted on: May 10th, 2011 | Share:
Categories: Economic Issues • Policies and Laws • Public Health
The City of Seattle is looking at requiring businesses to provide their workers access to paid family leave. A recent article in the Seattle times outlines the effort, which is supported by the Seattle Coalition for a Healthy Workforce.
Currently, three other cities require paid family leave – San Francisco, Milwaukee (Wisconsin), and Washington, DC. The Institute for Women’s Policy Research conducted an evaluation of San Francisco’s law and found that the vast majority of businesses did not report any negative impact on their profitability.
Proponents of such laws say that sick workers should not be forced to choose between a paycheck and time off to get better. Sick workers on the job could infect co-workers and the public. These laws also make it easier for parents to stay home with sick children.
A nationwide study in the Journal Pediatrics showed that lower-income families had much less access to paid family leave. Among families with incomes over 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL), 81% had paid family leave, compared to 36% for those with incomes less than 200% FPL.
What do you think?
Is paid family leave a public health issue?
Should Oregon—should the U.S.—mandate paid family leave, or would the costs to businesses outweigh the benefits?
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