Aaron Keating

Washington families could be first in line for benefits from the FIRST Act

The FIRST Act (Family Income to Respond to Significant Transitions) authorizes $1.5 billion in grant funding to states to seed new programs or to bolster existing paid leave programs. States without an existing program would receive a start-up grant to develop and implement a program for up to a three-year period, along with a grantContinue reading “Washington families could be first in line for benefits from the FIRST Act”

National Family Leave Insurance Act introduced in Congress

The Family Leave Insurance Act of 2009 would provide 12 weeks of paid benefits to workers who need time off to care for a new child, ill family member, service member returning from combat, or their own illness. The program covers all employees who have paid into the fund and worked for their current employerContinue reading “National Family Leave Insurance Act introduced in Congress”

Healthy Families Act means more workers can care for family and self

Maybe swine flu tipped the balance when people’s kids had to come to work due to closed schools. Or the cratering economy made more people fear job loss for taking a sick day. Or employers started noticing the very real costs of presenteeism. Regardless, it’s never been more apparent that every worker needs access toContinue reading “Healthy Families Act means more workers can care for family and self”