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What I’ve Been Reading This Week: Paid Leave Edition


As I had highlighted earlier this week a paid leave “battle” in New Hampshire between the Republican Governor and the Democratic Legislature, I thought it would be appropriate to highlight some other developments across the country in regard to paid leave.  With paid leave on the ballot this November, there is no time like the present to do a bit of a deep dive into the topic.

As always, below are a couple articles that caught my eye this week.


How Realistic Is a National Paid Leave Law?

Ah yes, paid leave.  One of the more bandied about labor and employment law related topics.  While there appears to be support among both Republicans and Democrats for a national paid leave law, neither side can come to an agreement with the other on how it would be funded, whether it would be mandatory, which workers would qualify, etc.  This particular study from AEI examines the issue a bit closer and takes into account how a national paid leave law would impact low wage workers.  For those interested in a well thought out study on the topic, this is worth a read.


Study: Two Thirds of Small Business Owners Support Paid Leave

On the heels of the above article from AEI, I point readers to a recent study that was conducted in which it was found that two thirds of small business owners support paid leave.  The study, conducted by the non-profit Paid Leave for All, appears to show widespread support among “Mom and Pop” businesses around the country.  Perhaps one of the more telling signs that this support for paid leave is not just a fluke is the fact that the Director of Paid Leave for All, Dawn Huckelbridge, points out that over the years there has been consistent support for paid leave.  Rather than this being a flash in the pan or somewhat of an outlier study, it appears that contrary to what many might believe, small business owners have been (and continue to be) supports of paid leave.


On the Ballot This November: Colorado’s Proposition 118

Voters in Colorado this year have the option to vote on Proposition 118, a proposed paid family and medical leave ballot initiative.  The Proposition, if approved, would provide Colorado workers with 12 weeks of paid time off to care for a new child, recover from a personal illness or injury, care for a sick or injured family member, or address needs related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or a family member’s military deployment.  (Four additional weeks would also be provided to workers experiencing complications from pregnancy.)  As The Colorado Time Recorder writes, with nearly 80% of Colorado workers not having access to paid family or medical leave, Proposition 118 could impact a wide swath of workers in the state.  Critics of the Proposition argue that it would be too costly (as the paid leave would be funded by both employers and employees paying .45% of the employees’ wage into the program.  This would amount to $3.83/week for the average worker.)  In a state that leans to the left and with a contested Senate race on the ballot (during a Presidential election year no less), I would expect voter turnout to be high.  If I were a betting man, I would expect to see Proposition 118 pass.  Stay tuned.

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