NEWS
Parental-leave laws receive ‘C’ in state
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Also by Ann Babe:
- Legislators introduce Jessica's Law (October 20, 2005)
- Parisi seeks prison releases (October 21, 2005)
- State Street getting 'freaky' (September 14, 2006)
- Concealed-carry veto override attempt fails in Capitol (February 1, 2006)
- Doyle signs bill redefining abuse law (February 17, 2006)
Related Stories:
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- Debate arises over paid sick leave study (January 20, 2006)
- PACE may recommend parental notification (September 13, 2002)
- Senate committee scrutinizes UW (October 20, 2005)
- Low-income Harvard students to receive tuition cut (March 4, 2004)
by Ann Babe
Thursday, May 5, 2005
A recent study conducted by the National Partnership for Women and Families assessing the nation’s parental-leave policies for each state assigned Wisconsin a “C” rating, ranking it 14th among the 50 states and Washington, D.C.
The study released Tuesday which examined the legislation and regulation surrounding parental-leave policies across the nation revealed Wisconsin to be in the list’s top half due to state law allowing people additional options not offered in those states ranking below it.
According to Wisconsin policy, new parents, if employed by a company with 50 or more workers, may use accrued family medical leave and have wages guaranteed. They also are allowed six weeks unpaid parental leave with guaranteed return to work. However, the lack of state legislation guaranteeing paid parental leave is causing some to call for action.
“We believe there should be comprehensive laws that support families and protect workers from economic loss,” said Amy Stear, Wisconsin organizing director for 9 to5, the National Association of Working Women. “We support policies that enable parents to take care of [family] demands and keep jobs.”
People are put in incredible binds because current legislation is unfair to parents, added Stear, who recommended legislation requiring a minimum of seven paid sick days per year.
The recently introduced federal Healthy Families Act calls for a guaranteed seven paid sick days for full-time workers at companies with 15 or more employees. Sponsored by U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., and U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., the act aims to take the burden off low-income workers who often must forego a paycheck to spend time with their children.
“[The Healthy Families Act] is an example of a law that should become standard,” Stear said.
Furthermore, there are concerns over how Wisconsin’s mediocre rating might effect state job recruitment and retention.
“I think the current parental-leave policy does affect [the state’s] ability to attract and attain skilled workers,” Stear said.
People who have the ability to be mobile and choose where they would like to live and work are more likely to choose a state with parental-leave support, Stear added.
According to Working Innovations, Inc. President Sharon Lerman, progressive parental-leave policies result in employees who feel respected personally and professionally, fostering an increased level of work productivity and commitment.
Maternal leave policies can also have great benefits for the infant, according to the study.
“For mothers and fathers, time at home during the first precious months after birth or adoption is critical to getting to know their babies,” the study’s executive summary said. “It can provide long-term benefits that improve a child’s brain development, social development and overall well-being.”
The study’s generally deficient findings evaluated America’s parental-leave policies to be “among the worst in the world,” with a startling figure of 19 states receiving failing marks and none meriting an “A.”
California led the rankings with an “A-,” while Hawaii, the District of Columbia and Oregon followed, each earning a “B+.”
“I think we should join the rest of the industrialized world,” Stear said.
The contrast between the nation’s tremendous wealth and its poor series of family policies is nothing short of an embarrassment, Stear added.
