Proposed Paid Family Leave: Benefits for Employees - Essay Sample

Introduction

Several decades away, family leave act was passed in the United States; the employees were still lamenting about it because even though the leave was given to the employees, it was never paid (Slater, 2018). Recently, the idea of paid family leave has gained popularity. Many political parties are proposing the providence of the paid family leave that would benefit employees. Although the mode of payment will differ depending on the sustainability of various organizations, many states and municipalities have already started paying for the family leave. Some of the states that are already paying family leaves are California, Rhode Island, and New Jersey. Other states like Washington D.C and New York are yet to implement the law.

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Recently, more than 20 largest firms in the United States have embraced the idea of giving family leave benefits to caregivers and new parents (Wharton, 2019). Although the benefits are mostly allocated for birth mothers and vary from one company to another in the amount paid, most companies embraced this phenomenon between 2016 and 2018. The United States is likely to be the last among the most developed countries to provide paid family leaves. Now, predicted to be officiated by the expected new government, the workers feel that it is so unfair. Some business, societal, and political factors now seek to explain the paid family leave energy. According to Stephanie Creary, the professor of Wharton Management, stated that the whole issue had become a gender inequality whereby many people now see the paid family leave issue as the same as gender bias. In the past five years, people have argued that a parent included the male partner; thus, he is also entitled to paid leave in case of various family issues. Leaning on gender inequality, men have also come out to defend their rights on the paid leave. This is one of the many reasons why the paid leave debate is very heated in recent days.

Three issues are, however, explained as the spices to the most heated debate. The first trend is the registered change in the mode of work (NY gov, n.d). The elimination of a single-breadwinner has opened people's eyes on the difference between the realities of life and employment policies. Secondly, parents now have shown the need to spend more time with their children even though they are working. Also, there has been a close look at how women are treated in the dominated political system. Women have the burden of bringing up children and at the same time working. Therefore, the politicians appealing on the paid leave tend to win the women votes because the leave issue is so apparent.

Many American families could benefit from PFL if only lawmakers can get to agree on who pays it (McGarvey, 2019). In families where both parents are working and not financially stable to hire two nannies in the delivery of twins, have suffered losing jobs to take care of their kids. This issue has become a significant problem that affects the economy of the United States. For sometimes, it seemed like the American government did not recognize this issue. However, in 2017, polls showed that 82% of Americans were in support of forced paid leave for mothers after adoption or birth. Following the recent concerns on the same issues, the political system has joined the advocates to push for paid leaves. Large organizations and states have already created their policies, and others are circulating in the congress awaiting approval. The urge of PFL has not beet this appealing before. The problem is whether the lawmakers can land a stable solution for the payout. Some of the Republican senators have proposed the policy of National PFL. This policy will be funded by reducing or delaying the social security checks of the involved parents. However, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand seems to disagree with this idea, stating that it is not fair to choose between paid leave and retirement benefits. He, therefore, proposes the funding plan by deducting 0.2% off payroll levied a tax on both employer and the parents. Other senators believe that it will not be possible to pass the bill and sign it as law before the upcoming government. They add that the new program is likely to be approved by the new president, meaning that the issue will take time before it is legalized. The new parents Act, sponsored by Sen Mitt Romney, suggests three months of paid leave to be deducted from the parents' social security of the parents. Americans, on the other hand, do not want to go back to their own pockets. Three-quarters of them would support the federal system, which would offer three months of paid leave for both parents dealing with family issues and childbirths. Unfortunately, the idea comes with a $200 yearly tax hike. Whether or not the lawmakers and the workers can reconcile the payment issues is what hold the decision of paid leaves.

One of the Nation's most substantial paid leave was signed by Governor Cuomo in 2016 (Wharton, 2019). The compressive policy left the workers free of worries of caring for their families and the risk of failing the economic growth of the United States, or their state. The policy provides time off for parents to; create a bond with a foster, adopted, or born child. Take care of family members with health problems, and or help spouses or partners when deployed to military services abroad. Paid family leave for the employees will entail the conditions mentioned above. The PFL has a positive impact on the infants and the parents in general. For instance, the California policy improved women's labor market output (Bullinger, 2019). The parents also reported improved health of the infants during the time they spent together. Maternal mental health was also said to be better. The parents also said they could bond well with their children are given enough time, which positively their developmental growth. In the United States, the federal body has no existing paid family leave legislation. The current 1993 medical leave act only offer unpaid leave, and only 60% of the private sector can afford the vacation. 46% of the population is struggling to provide unpaid leave in public areas. Six Columbian districts have passed the PFL law. Consequently, the survey from those districts has suggested that not only does PFL help with early childhood development, it also helps grow the economy.

I also want to address this issue based on our company. I wish to inform you of several concepts that you might need to get ready when the implantation time comes. First, the company will ultimately comply with Federal policy. Several proposals have been raised so far. Politicians are proposing that the PFL should be cut from the social security benefits. Others are advising on the deduction from employees' levied tax. If I were asked, I would go with the second option. This is because it is quite unfair to reduce retirement money, which we will need most after leaving this firm. However, I wish to remind you that we should be prepared to accept the law which will be passed, which we hope will be favorable to you employees. I wish to inform you that the company might need to formulate its policy just as many firms have been doing. The primary reason for the private company's need to express its system is based on the payments mode and the sustainability of the company. Besides a federal law and the Family Medical Act might settle on a policy that could not be suitable or workable depending on the salary system of the company. In case of such policies, the company will have no otherwise but set its plan, which will be considerate of you employees. I want you to understand that this company values you as our workers and even though we have not had the paid family leave, we have been considering it and once decided, you will get informed. Thank you for taking the time to read through this issue.

References

Bullinger, L. R. (2019). The Effect of Paid Family Leave on Infant and Parental Health in the United States. Journal of health economics, 66, 101-116. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167629617305799

McGarvey, M. (2019, May 16). Millions of Americans Could Finally Get Paid Family Leave'If Lawmakers Can Agree On Who Pays. Retrieved from https://time.com/5590167/paid-family-leave-united-states/

NY gov. (n.d.). Employees. Retrieved from https://paidfamilyleave.ny.gov/employees

Wharton. (2019, April 12). Paid Family Leave: What's the Right Model? Retrieved from https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/paid-family-leave/

Slater, M. R. (2018, March 28). Paid Family Leave Policies And Population Health. Retrieved from https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/hpb20190301.484936/full/