Progressive Idea of the Week: Paid Family, Medical, and Bereavement Leave

One of the first acts of the Clinton Administration in 1993 was the passing of the Family and Medical Leave Act which allowed individuals who worked in businesses with 50 or more people to take time off for up to 12 weeks in a calendar year.

Now is the time to take the next step and pass a measure making some of that time paid leave (up to two weeks). This can be paid for by having employees at the beginning of each year deciding like when they pick their health insurance or 401 k options deduct a small portion of their paycheck (about three percent) to go towards the paid leave pot. Ladies who find they are with a child can opt to have a little more taken out for the six weeks standard time they are out on maternity leave. It is a way to give a greatly needed benefit to people in need and foster a sense of community and teamwork in the workplace. It would be a win-win. It should be stipulated that people who do not participate would not be eligible for the paid provision of the program and employers should reserve the right to stipulate each year, the percentage of people needed to contribute in order to maintain the option.