Paid Leave Is Working for Families and Businesses
The national paid family and medical leave program has completed its first full year of operation, and the results are overwhelmingly positive for both workers and employers. An estimated 4.2 million Americans have used the benefit to care for a new child, a seriously ill family member, or their own health condition.
The program provides up to 12 weeks of partial wage replacement, funded through a modest payroll contribution of less than $3 per week for the average worker.
Key Findings
- 92% of employers report no negative impact on profitability or productivity
- Employee retention increased by 18% among companies with workers who used the leave
- 85% of new mothers who used paid leave returned to their same employer, compared to 57% without leave
- Infant hospitalizations declined 9% as parents had more time for pediatric appointments and bonding
"The United States was the only industrialized nation without guaranteed paid leave," said the program's administrator. "This data shows it was long overdue — it's good for families, good for businesses, and good for our economy."
