Come Together to Inspire, Interact, Influence, and Impact.

x
Notifications
Log Out? Are you sure you want to log out?
Log Out
IWN Staff
June 1, 2023 - 2 minutes
facebook linkedin twitter telegram telegram

In 60 Seconds: The Paid Leave Debate

*PDF Download: In 60 Seconds – The Paid Leave Debate

We all want American families to have the time and resources they need to welcome a new child.

In reality most full-time employees have some paid time off. But this doesn’t mean all families have the time and resources they need when welcoming a child. Those who lack paid leave often end up leaving their jobs and using public assistance.

Here’s the issue of paid leave in 60 seconds:

What’s at Stake

We all want American families to have the time and resources they need to welcome a
new child.

Bad Solution:

A new federal entitlement program would:

  • Require a new payroll tax,
  • Disrupt existing paid leave arrangements,
  • Leave all workers with less money in their paychecks,
  • Result in fewer job opportunities, particularly for women.

In reality most full-time employees have some paid time off. But this doesn’t mean all
families have the time and resources they need when welcoming a child. Those who
lack paid leave often end up leaving their jobs and using public assistance.

A Better Path Forward: Earned Leave

  • Budget neutral and gender neutral
  • Does not raise taxes or expand government
  • Completely voluntary, doesn’t affect others

Qualifying workers can opt to receive benefit payments following the birth or adoption
of a child. Workers’ retirement benefits would then be delayed or they could pay
additional taxes to offset the earned leave benefits’ costs.

How This Helps:
All workers decide for themselves when they need benefits most, benefits they’ve earned.

Expands access to leave for those who are most vulnerable today (low-skill, low-wage
workers). Family leave is critical because it:

  • Is associated with better health for mothers and babies.
  • Encourages greater involvement of fathers.
  • Encourages workers to return to work rather than leaving work force for government aid.

This is fair to workers who do not want and will not use earned leave benefits. They will
not have to pay for someone else’s benefits. Employers would still have an incentive to
offer employees paid leave benefits. Instead of making government bigger, this makes
it work better.

Addressing Misperceptions: 

IWN Staff
Back to Resource Center

More from IWN Staff

Resource Center In 60 Seconds: Civil Service Reform

Today, more than 2 million people make up the civilian federal bureaucracy.…

IWN Staff November 20, 2024
IWN Live Post Election Analysis: What Happened, What it Means, and What’s Next

Independent Women’s Network hosted a post election analysis event to discuss the…

IWN Staff November 8, 2024
IWN Live #IWReads with Charles Gasparino – Go Woke, Go Broke

Charles Gasparino joined #IWReads on Tuesday, October 29 for a deep dive…

IWN Staff November 1, 2024
Share This A Message From New York Independent Women Leaders: Equal Rights For Women; Say NO To Prop 1

Prop 1 grants ‘rights’ to invade women’s spaces and sports competitions. If…

IWN Staff October 22, 2024
Deep Dive In 60 Seconds: An American Caregiver Program

Download PDF What’s at Stake The United States faces a series of…

IWN Staff October 17, 2024

Related Posts by IWN

How to Talk About: TEACHERS UNIONS

Five Key Points About Teachers Unions *PDF Download Unions seek power. Unions…

IWN Staff September 30, 2024
In 60 Seconds: Why Crime Statistics Can Be Misleading

Crime statistics delivered to the public don’t always align with the reality…

Paula Fitzsimmons August 8, 2024
How To: Talk To Kids About… Patriotism

Help teach kids about the founding of the United States and why…

Julie Gunlock May 11, 2024
How To: To Kids About… Women’s Equality And The Law

In this latest How To Talk to Kids, we provide basic information…

Julie Gunlock May 11, 2024
How To: Talk To Kids About… The Minimum Wage

Parents and caregivers can help explain the minimum wage to the kids…

Julie Gunlock May 11, 2024