Governor Gavin Newsom signs law extending paid leave job protection

The entire Family Values @ Work network celebrates California Governor Gavin Newsom’s signing of SB 1383, which extends job protection to 6 million more California workers when they take paid leave to bond with a new child, care for a seriously ill family member, or care for their own serious health condition. We commend California for continuing to be an example to all states in the promotion of paid leave and worker protection. We also acknowledge the leadership of the California Work & Family Coalition; the unions; maternal and child health groups; caregiving and disability justice groups for their steadfast efforts to secure paid leave for all Californians.

In order for paid leave policies to be effective, there must be job protection. Research shows that nearly one in five low-wage workers nationally report losing their job after taking leave. Most of those were not eligible for the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which offers leave that is unpaid but with job protection. In fact, a recent report from the Department of Labor found that the program covers only 56 percent of the workforce. Without job-protected paid leave, families face risks to their health as well as their income. 

Family Values @ Work has worked to secure paid sick and safe days, and family medical leave insurance for nearly 20 years through our network of coalitions in more than two dozen states. As the nation gears up for a historic presidential election, workers are speaking out about the challenges they face without access to paid leave and without job protections. In California, workers have used their powerful voices to spur elected officials to action, including paid leave champions Gov. Newsom, his chief of staff, Ann O’Leary, State Senator Hannah Beth Jackson and Assembly Member Lorena Gonzalez. We’re grateful for their leadership.

“The passage of this bill sends a strong and clear message to the legislature that Californians are willing to fight for the right to be with their loved ones and care for themselves without having to risk losing their job or neglect their health or their loved ones in need,” said Jenya Cassidy, director of the California Work & Family Coalition, FV@W’s member coalition in the state. “This is a huge step for us that will lay the groundwork for future federal paid leave policies.” 

California was the first state to win paid family leave and, with the passage of this job protection legislation, they continue to pave the way for an inclusive national standard. Since California first implemented paid leave, eight states and the District of Columbia have enacted paid leave. Voters are paying attention perhaps now more than ever as the coronavirus exposes the vast inequity in our current system and disrupts an economy that was not working for everyone. It’s time for all elected officials to enact paid leave with job protection for all.

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