Alia E. Dastagir, USA TODAY
A survey of 253 employers affected by California’s paid family leave found over 90% reported either no effect or a positive effect on productivity, profitability, turnover and morale.
Research also suggests expanding paid leave would reduce public assistance spending, according to a 2014 report by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research.
“Women have been making things work a long time, but it takes a big toll,” said Melissa Boteach, vice president, income security & child care/early learning at the National Women’s Law Center. “Somehow everyone figures out how to make it work, but what is the cost of that? Not moving up in a job? Getting fired because you didn’t have paid leave? Not being able to get the degree you want because you couldn’t find stable childcare? When you add up the losses, the cost of inaction is higher than the cost of providing parents what they need.”
