Let's make paid family leave possible
My first grandchild is now two months old. Her parents are back at work, and my wife gets to babysit – something we are not taking for granted after the COVID-19 isolation these last couple of months.
Out of an abundance of social distancing, grandma and I could not be there right away to help with the new baby. Fortunately, both my son and my daughter-in-law have full-time jobs that offer paid leave to care for new children. My daughter-in-law used paid leave to recover and adjust to her new role as mother. Paid family leave meant that she and my son could focus on their new daughter, and not financial worries.
As an employer, a father of four, and now a grandfather, I know the necessity of family time with a newborn or adopted child. And I also know that the lowest-paid workers in our country are least likely to have this leave.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that 85 percent of workers in America lack paid family leave for birth or adoption, forcing many to rush their adjustment to parenthood and cutting short those precious early days with their new son or daughter.
I’ve witnessed the benefits of paid family leave as a high school principal and then as CEO of two different nonprofits. Employees who are happy at home are happier in the office. When employees can take the time they need for their family, they will work harder and you will have less turnover. I’m proud of the benefits we offer at The Family Leader, including paternity and maternity leave.
We offer paid family leave because common sense tells us the obvious: Parents need to be home to care for their newborn children. But research also points to the importance of paternity or maternity leave. Studies show more time at home with a new child helps mothers avoid depression, helps fathers bond, and helps infants with long-term mental and physical benefits. More time at home even reduces infant deaths.
Paid family leave can even help taxpayers by reducing welfare costs. About 8 percent of federal spending last year went to public assistance, and Medicare/Medicaid/etc. equaled another 25%. But studies show that both men and women are less likely to take public assistance the year after having a child if they take paid family leave. Public assistance especially goes down for single and low-income mothers who take paid family leave.
The lesson is clear: Workers in America should have the option of paid family leave.
Fortunately, U.S. Senators Joni Ernst of Iowa and Mike Lee of Utah proposed a plan last year that would provide the opportunity for paid family leave to American taxpayers. Their bill, the CRADLE Act, empowers Americans by allowing them to use their own Social Security to fund maternity or paternity leave in exchange for slightly delaying retirement.
The CRADLE Act avoids the pitfalls of government mandates by being completely voluntary. And it could actually reduce the long-term burden of Social Security.
Sen. Ernst’s bill empowers all Americans to take the time they need for their families, and it does so without burdening employers or taxpayers. Congress should pass this excellent pro-family, pro-worker law.
Bob Vander Plaats is president and CEO of The Family Leader, a Christian ministry that seeks to inspire Christ-like leadership in the home, church, and government.