Paid Leave Equity Matters

Paid family and medical leave (PFML) policies provide workers with partial wage replacement so that they can afford to take time to care for and bond with a new child; care for a family member; or recover from their own serious health condition. Today, 33 million workers lack access to this benefit because, without a federal guarantee, policies vary across states and limit eligibility. People with low incomes are least likely to have access to paid leave; ongoing racial and economic inequality means communities of color are most harmed.

Nine states as well as the District of Columbia have now passed their own paid leave programs. As momentum grows for a federal policy, state and federal decision-makers must avoid widening inequities and ensure benefits are accessible to all workers by paying attention to program design and implementation. 

In October 2019, government and community partners from states with PFML programs gathered in Tacoma, Washington for “Paid Leave Collaboration and Connections: A Convening for States Leading the Way,” hosted by FV@W, the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), and others. The gathering focused on advancing equity in state-level PFML efforts. 

Now, a new report by FV@W and CLASP describes how states are leading the way.  “Equity Matters: Lessons on Paid Family and Medical Leave Programs” provides advice from state paid leave administrators and advocates that will inform policymakers, state and federal agencies, and activists in developing and implementing equity-focused PFML programs. The report highlights these strategies for advancing equity through the implementation process:

• Invite public feedback when developing regulations, using several strategies to gather input.
• Evaluate the PFML program’s information technology (IT) system and use it as a tool to advance equity.
• Create research practices that adequately assess equity while ensuring accessibility.
• Use a range of communications tactics and engage partners to reach diverse groups of workers and employers.
• Prioritize customer service over operational efficiencies.
• Instill values of equity and empathy across agency staff. 

This report is a must-read for any group or locality considering creating a paid leave program, including at the federal level. We were happy to partner on this effort with CLASP because we firmly believe that we already know what it takes to ensure access to paid leave for all workers nationwide –and it’s being evidenced in the states. Read the full report here.