Lt. Gov. Jane Swift, who becomes the nation’s first pregnant governor today, may be set to oppose a measure to allow workers to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave to care for newborns or a sick close relative and up to 26 weeks of personal disability. The bill, which is in legislative committee, would offer employees two-thirds of their normal salaries, which would come from an account funded by business owners who do not offer a comparable leave arrangements.
Swift’s main concern is that this bill puts an unreasonable financial burden on businesses, but her administration has not taken a formal position on the bill. Presently, federal law allows employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid maternity or other care leave without pay.
Swift’s stance on this issue is additionally ironic because she has deliberately crafted herself as a supporter of family and women’s issues. While Swift herself plans to work from home immediately before and after the birth of her twins in June with what she calls a “working maternity leave,” she could take paid leave because some private employers and state agencies and offices, including the governor’s office, do offer this option.
Not all parents can afford to take off work for several weeks without any salary. Unpaid leave could mean the loss of thousands dollars in income for families who would have more of a need for that money after the birth of a child. While parents should plan for the financial responsibility of having a child, unplanned medical and personal complications may sometimes force parents to take a longer leave than anticipated.
Contrary to what some business representatives may argue, this bill does not mean that businesses should solve all of society’s problems. Far too often, Americans put their jobs before their families to the detriment of their children, and some families may find that having children is too inconvenient under the present system. Businesses should not force potential parents to choose between earning a living and having a family. While businesses should not have to assume the responsibility for this situation, they should make the option of having children feasible for their employees by offering paid leave.
As suggested by the Women’s Statewide Legislative Network, Swift should at least support a compromise of the current bill. The bill should also require the state government to fund paid leave for working families to aid small businesses that could not realistically offer their employees paid leave and pay replacements in the meantime. Providing reasonable options for families with children should be part of the state’s political agenda because it contributes to the quality of life of its residents.
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