Connecticut Workers Need
Paid Family & Medical Leave
Connecticut is a leader on family-friendly workplace
policies. The CT Legislature passed the first statewide
paid sick days guarantee in the country, and has taken
serious steps toward becoming the next state to offer
paid family leave.
Having a system of paid family leave will help ensure
that workers aren’t punished financially for being
seriously ill, having a baby or taking care of a family
member.
While many employees are covered by the federal
Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the fact is
FMLA is unpaid and as such, the vast majority (78%)
of workers who are eligible for this type of leave don’t
use it because they can’t afford to lose pay.
Because of the current lack of paid family leave,
workers oftentimes have to choose between their
health or the health of a family member, and their
jobs.
As a state, and country, that supports family values,
we should be doing more for our workers. Let’s truly
support family values at work by creating a state-wide
system of paid family leave.
The Campaign for Paid Family Leave is run jointly by
the CT Women’s Education & Legal Fund (CWEALF)
and the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women
(PCSW). Our campaign is made up of 45+ organizations
representing a wide range of demographics including
women, children, families, people with disabilities or
chronic illnesses and the elderly.
For more information about the Campaign, visit us online:
www.paidfamilyleavect.org
Facebook/CampaignforPaidFamilyLeave
Twitter: @paidleave4ct
Who needs paid
family leave?
Employees with
serious illnesses,
parents with new
babies & employees
caring for aging
parents or seriously
ill family members.
Can’t workers just
take FMLA?
FMLA is unpaid
and doesn’t cover all
employees therefore
most people, even
those who are
eligible for the
benefit, don’t use it
because they can’t
afford to take unpaid
time off from work.
Do other states have
paid family leave?
Yes, California,
Rhode Island and
New Jersey offer
paid family leave.
Several other states
are considering
legislation, including
Vermont, New
York, Massachusetts
Colorado and
Wisconsin.
How will paid
family leave impact
businesses?
Many employers
support paid family
leave because they
recognize that
when employees are
able to take care of
themselves or their
family members,
they have more
loyalty to their
company, which
in turn reduces
turnover costs for
the employer.
How would this
work in Connecticut?
We’ve released
our legislative
reccomendations
and they include
key components
such as providing
up to 12 weeks of
paid time off. To
see our full list of
recommendations
visit our website.
How can I join the
campaign?
Email us at:
[email protected].
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Paid Family Leave & Businesses
Myth vs. Fact
There are a few misconceptions that paid family & medical leave would harm businesses when,
in fact, research, polling and the experiences of other states show that having access to this type
of leave either positively impacts employers or has a neutral effect. Below we break down some
of the most common myths.
Myth: Paid family & medical leave will be too expensive for Connecticut businesses to implement and
maintain.
Fact: The Campaign is calling for a system funded entirely by employee contributions and administered by the Department of Labor, with very little to no costs to businesses.
Myth: Paid family & medical leave solely benefits the employee with no positive impact for the employer.
Fact: Paid family & medical leave improves worker retention, which saves employers money through reduced turnover costs. Additionally, research has shown that
when employees have access to this type of leave they are more loyal to their employer and are happier, more productive employees. In return, businesses are more vibrant and more apt to flourish financially.
Myth: Paid family & medical leave has failed in other states.
Fact: Similar paid family & medical leave programs in California, New Jersey and Rhode Island have been implemented successfully. These programs have been well
received and polling shows that paid family & medical leave in California has had
either a “positive effect” or “no noticeable effect” on productivity, profitability,
performance, turnover, and employee morale.
Myth: Very few small business owners support paid family & medical leave.
Fact: According to a recent poll released by the Small Business Majority, 59% of small
business owners support publicly administered family & medical leave insurance pools
paid entirely with payroll contributions from employees. With a system of paid
family & medical leave, small businesses will be more competitive in attracting the
best employees.
For more information about the Campaign, visit us online: www.paidfamilyleavect.org.
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Winston, P. 2014.
As the generation of baby boomers
continues to age, the need
for family caregivers is also
increasing.
Many families are now faced
with the demands of tending to
their elderly parents or relatives
while also caring for their
dependent children.
Paid family & medical leave
would help workers in this
“sandwich generation” better
balance work & family and
maintain their economic security.
Members & Supporters
AARP Connecticut
Connecticut Working Families
AFSCME Council 4
Connecticut Voices for Children
AIDS Connecticut
Donate Life Connecticut
Alzheimer’s Association (CT)
FAVOR, CT
All Our Kin
Greater Hartford Legal Aid
American Academy of Pediatrics (CT)
The Jennifer Jaff Center
American Cancer Society Action Network
Junta for Progressive Action
American College of Gynecologists
League of Women Voters of Connecticut
American Diabetes Association of CT
Legal Assistance Resource Center of CT
American Lung Association of the Northeast
Livingston, Adler, Pulda, Meiklejohn
Autism Speaks
& Kelly, P.C.
Center for Family Justice
MotherWoman
Connecticut Alliance of Basic Human Needs
MS Society, CT
Connecticut Association for Human Services
NARAL Pro-Choice Connecticut
Connecticut Alliance for
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Perinatal Mental Health
National Association of Social Workers, CT
Connecticut Citizen Action Group
Chapter
Connecticut Diaper Bank
National Organization for Women, CT
Connecticut Breastfeeding Coalition
Chapter
Connecticut Coalition Against
New Haven Legal Assistance
Domestic Violence
Office of the Healthcare Advocate
Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance
Older Women’s League
The CT Conference of the United
Permanent Commission on the Status
Church of Christ
of Women
Connecticut Employment Lawyers Association
Planned Parenthood of Southern New England
Connecticut Hispanic Health Council
SEIU State Council
CT Parkinson’s Disease Association
State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition
CT Sexual Assault Crisis Services
UAW Region 9A CAP Council
CSEA/SEIU Local 2001
Universal Healthcare Foundation of CT
Connecticut Women’s Education
YWCA of Hartford
and Legal Fund
www.paidfamilyleavect.org
More than one in five households
with children have at least one
child who has special needs.
And of those families, 25%
have had to either cut back
their hours or stop working
altogether in order to provide
care for their child.
Paid family & medical leave
would help families care for
family members with special
needs while remaining in the
workforce.
Members & Supporters
AARP Connecticut
Connecticut Working Families
AFSCME Council 4
Connecticut Voices for Children
AIDS Connecticut
Donate Life Connecticut
Alzheimer’s Association (CT)
FAVOR, CT
All Our Kin
Greater Hartford Legal Aid
American Academy of Pediatrics (CT)
The Jennifer Jaff Center
American Cancer Society Action Network
Junta for Progressive Action
American College of Gynecologists
League of Women Voters of Connecticut
American Diabetes Association of CT
Legal Assistance Resource Center of CT
American Lung Association of the Northeast
Livingston, Adler, Pulda, Meiklejohn
Autism Speaks
& Kelly, P.C.
Center for Family Justice
MotherWoman
Connecticut Alliance of Basic Human Needs
MS Society, CT
Connecticut Association for Human Services
NARAL Pro-Choice Connecticut
Connecticut Alliance for
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Perinatal Mental Health
National Association of Social Workers, CT
Connecticut Citizen Action Group
Chapter
Connecticut Diaper Bank
National Organization for Women, CT
Connecticut Breastfeeding Coalition
Chapter
Connecticut Coalition Against
New Haven Legal Assistance
Domestic Violence
Office of the Healthcare Advocate
Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance
Older Women’s League
The CT Conference of the United
Permanent Commission on the Status
Church of Christ
of Women
Connecticut Employment Lawyers Association
Planned Parenthood of Southern New England
Connecticut Hispanic Health Council
SEIU State Council
CT Parkinson’s Disease Association
State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition
CT Sexual Assault Crisis Services
UAW Region 9A CAP Council
CSEA/SEIU Local 2001
Universal Healthcare Foundation of CT
Connecticut Women’s Education
YWCA of Hartford
and Legal Fund
www.paidfamilyleavect.org
Paid family & medical leave
helps narrow the wage gap.
Women who take paid
maternity leave see an increase
in wages and depend less on
public assistance in the year
after giving birth.
Paid family leave also keeps
women in the workforce,
which increases the
productivity of the labor
force overall.
Members & Supporters
AARP Connecticut
Connecticut Working Families
AFSCME Council 4
Connecticut Voices for Children
AIDS Connecticut
Donate Life Connecticut
Alzheimer’s Association (CT)
FAVOR, CT
All Our Kin
Greater Hartford Legal Aid
American Academy of Pediatrics (CT)
The Jennifer Jaff Center
American Cancer Society Action Network
Junta for Progressive Action
American College of Gynecologists
League of Women Voters of Connecticut
American Diabetes Association of CT
Legal Assistance Resource Center of CT
American Lung Association of the Northeast
Livingston, Adler, Pulda, Meiklejohn
Autism Speaks
& Kelly, P.C.
Center for Family Justice
MotherWoman
Connecticut Alliance of Basic Human Needs
MS Society, CT
Connecticut Association for Human Services
NARAL Pro-Choice Connecticut
Connecticut Alliance for
National Alliance on Mental Illness
Perinatal Mental Health
National Association of Social Workers, CT
Connecticut Citizen Action Group
Chapter
Connecticut Diaper Bank
National Organization for Women, CT
Connecticut Breastfeeding Coalition
Chapter
Connecticut Coalition Against
New Haven Legal Assistance
Domestic Violence
Office of the Healthcare Advocate
Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance
Older Women’s League
The CT Conference of the United
Permanent Commission on the Status
Church of Christ
of Women
Connecticut Employment Lawyers Association
Planned Parenthood of Southern New England
Connecticut Hispanic Health Council
SEIU State Council
CT Parkinson’s Disease Association
State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition
CT Sexual Assault Crisis Services
UAW Region 9A CAP Council
CSEA/SEIU Local 2001
Universal Healthcare Foundation of CT
Connecticut Women’s Education
YWCA of Hartford
and Legal Fund
www.paidfamilyleavect.org