Families in Pennsylvania Need Paid Family and Medical Leave

Children First currently serves as co-chair of the statewide Family Care Coalition, which focuses on getting a paid family and medical leave program, the Family Care Act, passed in Pennsylvania. Access to paid family and medical leave allows workers to not have to choose between remaining financially stable and taking care of their family at a vulnerable time of need.

Currently, two-thirds, about 4.3 million, of Pennsylvania’s workers don’t have access to paid family and medical leave. By establishing a statewide paid family and medical leave program in Pennsylvania would allow:

• new parents to be there for the critical period following the birth or adoption of a child
• family members to provide critical care and rehab services to elderly loved ones at home
• parents the ability to care for their child who is recovering from a serious illness
• workers to care for themselves during a serious illness or injury

In the 13 states, along with Washington D.C., with existing paid leave laws, paid leave has also proven to boost productivity and profits, help businesses recruit the best employees, and save businesses money by improving retention and reducing costly turnover. With bordering states, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland, already passing paid leave laws, Pennsylvania’s employers, along with Pennsylvania’s economy, are getting left behind in what is an increasingly competitive economic environment.

At a time when Pennsylvania’s businesses are facing hiring challenges, passing a paid family and medical leave program would be both a pro-business and pro-family solution to push our economy forward.

Join us in this fight to give working families and small businesses what they’ve earned.