The Necessity of Bonding Leave: "It's a Vital Part of Raising Children"
As the Coalition continues to organize for policy changes that expand equity and economic security for all working families, we are also collecting stories from parents and caregivers who benefitted (or could not benefit) from taking paid family leave (PFL) to bond with a new, adopted, or foster child, or to take care of a seriously ill family member.
Meet Michael Levy, who kindly shared his story about welcoming his son, Auden, into his family while working for a small business with less than 20 employees.
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March 2017 Newsletter
Exciting news! We got a matching grant of $10,000 at the end of last year to help kick start our grassroots campaign to win job protection for parents and caregivers when they take time to bond or care for loved ones. Coalition members are working together to engage people across the state in train the trainer events, district visits with local representatives, regional meetings and a lobby day in May. The funds we raise now will help us mobilize and allow diverse parents, caregivers and organizations to take the lead in winning family friendly workplaces for all. Please donate today to help us reach our goal: workfamilyca.org/donate
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This Week: 24th Anniversary of FMLA, EDD’s “Moments Matter” PFL Media Campaign, and the Reintroduction of the FAMILY Act
This week is chock full of events. On Monday, the California Employment Development Department (EDD) launched its media campaign to raise awareness of Paid Family Leave (PFL). Entitled “Moments Matter,” this campaign highlights crucial moments in life when parents and caregivers can use the partial wage replacement benefits to bond with a new, adopted, or foster child, or care for seriously ill loved ones. Members of the Coalition helped secure funding for this campaign and provided input to the EDD as the campaign was developed. You can read more about that here. We are very excited about the final results!
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Looks to California for Benefits of Paid Family Leave
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published a report a few weeks ago which analyzed how paid family leave (PFL) benefits low-income families. California was the first state to offer PFL, which expands on the federal Family Medical Leave Act of 1993. It remains one of only three states that offers it today. Fittingly, California's PFL program is often cited as a model for other states, which makes this report all the more important.
For example, did you know that 90% of PFL claims in California are from low-income parents (earning less than $12,000 per year), but only about 59% of all eligible mothers use it? What's more, only 7% of all PFL claims are made by lower-wage fathers, compared to 47% of men in the highest income quartile. What can we do to help more low-income moms and dads access PFL?
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Keeping the Fight to Help Working Families - January 2017 Newsletter
Happy New Year!
We hope you all got to recharge and spend time relaxing with loved ones at the end of 2016. Here is a look back at some victories we had last year, and exciting opportunities to continue protecting and supporting working families.
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Expanding Parental Leave and Expanding Our Work - June 2016 Newsletter
SB 1166 – THE NEW PARENT LEAVE BILL - PASSED THE SENATE!
Great news: Our Coalition priority bill, SB 1166 (Jackson) passed the Senate! SB 1166, the New Parent Leave bill, will expand the number of new parents who can take leave to bond with a new child – birth, adoption, or foster. Right now, over 40% of employees don’t have job protection for bonding leave. Studies show parental bonding is crucial to the well-being and healthy development of infants and young children. SB 1166 would make our leave laws more equitable and boost family economic security and employment. In spite of the clear benefits of this bill to children and families, the California Chamber of Commerce is mobilizing opposition claiming that expanding this right would be a burden on business. Our Assemblymembers need to hear from us on the importance of this bill. Join us as we lobby our representatives in the Assembly this summer. Contact us at info@workfamilyca.org if you would like to join a delegation in Sacramento or in your home district.
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California Families Need Bonding Time for New Parents: Pass SB 1166
Way too often, I find myself saying "Congratulations!" and "I'm sorry" in the same conversation with new and expecting parents when they call about Paid Family Leave: "Congratulations" on expecting a child and "I'm sorry" when they tell me their employer is not allowing them to keep their job if they go on leave.
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Being There When it Matters Most - May 2016 Newsletter
This year the California Work & Family Coalition set out to boost equity, awareness, and utilization of CA Paid Family Leave; to increase family-friendly benefits and fix policy gaps; and to shift cultural norms around work-family policies. Now, just 4 months into 2016, we have a lot of milestones to celebrate.
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This Week in Paid Leave: AB 908 is On its Way to Governor Brown!
Great News: California Work & Family Coalition priority bill AB 908 (Gomez) passed the state legislature and is on its way to the Governor's desk! AB 908 will help more low income workers access Paid Family Leave by raising the wage replacement rates to 70% (60% for middle-high income earners). Coalition members are sending letters of support to the Governor (e-mail us atinfo@workfamilyca.org if you would like information on how to help). This bill will make a huge difference to families in California and to other states and localities working on passing Paid Family Leave.
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This Week in Paid Leave: Happy Anniversary FMLA!
We celebrate the 23rd anniversary of President Clinton's signing of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) into law by joining our voices together to call for the next step: a national Paid Family Leave program for all. It's definitely time.
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