FV@W Reacts to New Legislation on Vacation Time

Family Values @ Work commends Representatives Magaziner, Budzinski, Casar, and Crockett for leading the way with the Protected Time Off Act and Senator Sanders for the Guaranteed Vacation Act. These are the same pieces of legislation under different names in their respective chambers, both of which ensure that employees can take two weeks off at their discretion. This paid time would be separate from any other guaranteed time to care for themselves or a chosen family member such as paid sick and safe days, paid family and medical leave, or unpaid FMLA leave. This bill will protect employees from retaliatory actions from an employer such as firing an employee, discrimination or retaliation for taking paid leave, or counting paid annual leave under any absence-control policy.

“We know that the only way to build and sustain a robust economy is to ensure that working families can thrive,” said Josephine Kalipeni, executive director of Family Values @ Work. “The PTO Act and Guaranteed Vacation Acts will protect employees in the workplace and allow workers the ability to take time off for any reason at their discretion, be it the time needed to care for themselves, care for another, or simply to enjoy their lives while maintaining employment.”