Paid family or Medical Leave is an employee benefit that allows a worker to take a leave of absence for medical or familial reasons without losing their job or salary during the period of absence. The benefit covers multi-month leave for reasons, such as: caring for a newborn or adopted child, caring for a family member suffering from an illness or disability, handling a medical emergency.

Paid Family Leave can be provided by an employer to its workers or mandated by law. Currently California, Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Washington State, are the only states with Paid Family Leave available and protected (Mass Center for Budget and Policy) Currently, only 13% of the workforce in all of New England has access to Paid Family Leave.

The United States is the only industrialized country in the world without a national Paid Family Leave program. (ABC News) Only a small handful of nations do not provide the benefit, as more than 185 countries have it mandated by law. (ABC News) In countries like Sweden, United Kingdom, France, Canada and Germany, workers benefit from 3-12 months of paid leave when they welcome a new child home or a medical emergency strikes their family.

Paid Family Leave policies provide workers with stability and security in their jobs and families. Securing jobs and wages in the workplace through Paid Family Leave promotes better economic and gender equality. Having a child or dealing with a medical emergency without Paid Family Leave protections can often force families into unnecessary debt and economic hardship.

Happening Now! The Family and Medical Leave and Temporary Disability Insurance Program Act will make employees eligible for up to 12 weeks of job-protected leave to recover from a serious illness or injury, to care for a seriously ill or injured family member, or to care for a newborn, newly adopted, or new foster child. Employees will be eligible for 26 weeks of temporary disability benefits equal to a percentage of their average weekly wages with the highest percentage going to the lowest wage earners. Benefits will be funded through employer contributions to the new Family and Employment Security Trust Fund through the Division of Employment and Training.

Spread the word about Paid Family Leave and encourage friends and families to ask businesses and politicians to provide it. Join organizations like Fair Shot to organize communities and advocate for a policy in Massachusetts. Share personal stories and experiences through social media and op-ed writing in local papers.

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