CHICAGO — Time off from work to care for a child or relative is codified in federal law. Now, an overwhelming majority of Americans 40 and older want that time away from the job to be paid.
An Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll released May 20 said 72 percent support paid family leave. Democrats were more likely to back it, but Republicans also expressed strong support. Overall, support was stronger among people age 40-64 and among women.
At least 19 states are considering paid family leave laws, but only three have active programs. New York, the latest to approve it, will launch its program in 2018.
“There is a lot of interest and a lot of momentum,” said Ellen Bravo, executive director of Family Values @ Work, an advocacy group. “We hope that over the next five years a critical mass of states will win these policies.”
Bravo said the state wins are paving the way for a federal law.
The federal Family and Medical Leave Act provides for up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for most workers to care for a newborn or adopted child or a spouse, child or parent who is seriously ill.
A bill to make that leave paid was introduced in the Senate last year but has gone nowhere in Congress. Among the presidential candidates, both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have voiced support for paid family leave. Donald Trump hasn’t offered a clear opinion.
“I support (paid family leave) because I feel that in the U.S., we need to realize that employees, or the workers, can’t really do the best job possible if you are worrying about a family member,” said Mary Jo Morelli, of the Detroit area.
Morelli, 52, said she expects that someday she’ll need time off to care for her aging mother and in-laws who are now in their 80s.
