Paid Family & Medical Leave
Paid family and medical leave combats poverty, gives children a healthy start, and lowers the wage gap between women and men by providing structural support to balance work and family.
Know the Facts
- Right now only 17% (!) of Americans have access to paid family leave through their employer and fewer than 40% have personal medical leave provided through an employer.
- Although the current Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows some employees to take up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave, it only covers about 60 percent of employees.
- A quarter of all poverty spells in the United States are because of having a baby.
- The U.S is one of the only countries in the world that doesn't offer paid leave to new mothers.
- Paid family leave has been shown to reduce infant mortality by as much as 20% (and the U.S. ranks a low 37th of all countries in infant mortality).
- Paid leave improves worker retention, which saves employers money through reduced turnover cost.
What You Can Do
Blog posts
Take Action
Twenty-nine years later and we’re still fighting for comprehensive paid family and medical leave for all. The Senate needs to quickly pass paid leave in the Build Back Better Act.
The Family Leave Optimal Coverage (FLOC) Act is an opportunity for all Michiganders to be there for their loved ones. To take the time to care for themselves, an ill, injured, or disabled loved ones, welcome a new child or take time for bereavement, without losing critical income at the time they need it most.
Moms and families deserve time to care for themselves and their loved ones. We need paid family and medical leave. Let Congress know we’re not backing down.
Learn more about paid leave, estimate your benefit, and take action to improve access for families.