Here's how to help families and reduce partisanship: Support paid family leave

Despite the hyperpartisan environment in Washington, late last year, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle came together to advance a policy that puts families first. In a rare moment of bipartisanship, Democrats and Republicans voted to give federal employees up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave to take care of a new child, after a birth, adoption or foster placement.

Although it was a significant win for 2.1 million federal workers, the fact remains that too many workers in this country continue to face the impossible choice between earning a paycheck or caring for themselves or a family member.

In a new year, and a new decade, ensuring all workers in the United States have access to paid family and medical leave must be at the top of the agenda for this Congress.

Paid leave is a unique issue that leaders on both sides of the aisle can agree needs to get done. Democrats in the House are poised to lead in advancing a proposal this spring, and Republicans in the House and Senate — along with the president —  have their own proposals calling for a federal paid leave program. That’s welcome news for workers who cannot afford to wait any longer.

Most workers aren't paid for family leave

It has been more than 25 years since the Family and Medical Leave Act granted eligible workers the ability to take job-protected time off to care for themselves or a loved one. While the FMLA revolutionized workplaces, today only 19% of workers have access to paid family leave through an employer.

Every year that goes by, working people continue to feel the pain. It’s estimated that families lose $20.6 billion in wages every year that paid family and medical leave isn’t accessible.

Moreover, the burden is greater for families of color, who face significant health and economic disparities from past and present institutionalized racism, as well as for low-income individuals, who are more likely to work in industries with unpredictable scheduling and without employer-provided paid leave.

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When working people can take time off — without sacrificing a paycheck — our families and our economy will benefit. Research shows that women are more likely to stay in the workforce following birth if they have access to paid leave. And if women participated in the U.S. labor force at the same rates as women in countries with paid leave, our economy would benefit from more than $500 billion in additional economic activity each year.

Voters strongly support family leave

Around the country, there is growing momentum for a national paid family and medical leave program. More than 8 in 10 voters — across party lines — support a comprehensive national paid family and medical leave plan that covers all working people.

In addition to the federal government, many major businesses recognize the benefits and are enacting their own policies, and small businesses have expressed support for a federal solution. Eight states and Washington, D.C., have enacted policies, and evidence from the states shows that the programs have met a clear need and have not had adverse effects on businesses.

This year, the House of Representatives is expected to consider the Family And Medical Insurance Leave Act, which is a commonsense, comprehensive and inclusive plan that allows all working people to take time away from their jobs to care for themselves or a loved one without missing a paycheck. The bill is modeled after successful state policies and is the only policy before Congress that meets the needs of our modern workforce.

The timing was right a quarter-century ago for workers to finally have job protections after taking family leave. The timing was right this fall when Congress provided all federal workers paid parental leave.

Congress must now embrace the momentum and finally advance a national paid family and medical leave policy. America’s workers, families, businesses and economy cannot afford to wait.

Debra L. Ness is president of the National Partnership for Women & Families, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works to achieve equality for all women.