From Moms Rising (https://www.momsrising.org/):
It’s go time. Within the next three weeks the U.S. Congress could finally, finally, pass comprehensive paid family and medical leave, but only if we keep the pressure on and keep it hot.
Go to https://action.momsrising.org/sign/TimetoCare to demand Congress pass a comprehensive paid family and medical leave policy this year. Moms, moms of color and working families need paid leave for all.
We know how critical paid family and medical leave is to working families. Moms and families across the country need time off to care for and bond with a new child and to care for themselves or a loved one when a critical health crisis strikes. There are so many reasons to take paid leave and that’s why we want to highlight the many ways families just like yours, use their paid family and medical leave because contrary to popular belief, it’s not a vacation!
Over the next three weeks, as Congress moves the budget reconciliation package forward — the package that includes comprehensive paid family and medical leave–we will highlight the different types of reasons we all need paid family and medical leave.
You can use these stories, or your own, to help pressure Congress to pass paid family and medical leave for all, now.
Did you know that one in four moms go back to work less than two weeks after giving birth? [1] While 60 percent of low income fathers take no leave at all. [2] That’s unacceptable but the unfortunate reality is that many new parents cannot afford to stay home with their children and taking unpaid leave means a loss of income. No one should have to choose between caring for their loved ones and their economic security. We need accountability from our members of Congress and we need paid leave for all.
Paid leave is an investment in our children, our communities, our economy and our future. And we are closer than we’ve ever been to passing a national paid family and medical leave program but we need YOUR help. We need to let our members of Congress know that paid time off to care for a new child is not a vacation, paid time off is pro family legislation that helps make families healthier and stronger. Care is essential and so is time off, especially for moms and families of color, 62 percent of Black adults and 73 percent of Latinx adults are either ineligible for or cannot afford to take unpaid leave, compared to 60 percent of white adults. [3]
Eight in 10 workers still do not have access to paid leave through their employers, [4] this must change. Paid leave is critical for workers and families and an economic necessity. We must demand our elected officials do what’s needed for our families, our businesses and our economy by passing a permanent and comprehensive paid leave program this year.
PS: Personal experiences are powerful and can make a HUGE difference in helping elected leaders understand how public policies impact families so they can move change. We want to hear more from YOU! Can you take a second and follow the link below to share your personal story about how having, or NOT having, access to job-protected paid leave has impacted your family in the pandemic? https://action.momsrising.org/survey/Caretaking_Stories
References:
[1] ‘I was risking my life,’ why one in four women return to work two weeks after childbirth”[2] “Paid Leave Is the Workplace Equalizer That Americans Deserve”
[3] “FACT SHEET: The American Families Plan Advances Equity and Racial Justice”
[4] “Employee Benefits in the United States”
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