Paid family leave: U.S. families falling (way) behind the rest of the world

The social (and economic!) value of paid family leave benefits is undeniable. Research indicates more bonding time lowers rates of infant mortality, improves infant health, and has a strong positive correlation to improved access to medical services. And when workers have time to recover from a serious illness or care for an ailing parent, theyContinue reading “Paid family leave: U.S. families falling (way) behind the rest of the world”

To really support dads, Washington needs family-wage jobs and modern workplace standards

On Sunday, dads across Washington State will be celebrated at home as role models, breadwinners, caretakers, parents and more. Certainly a new set of power tools will show dad how much you appreciate him. But no gift can make up for the economic losses that Washington’s men (and their families) have experienced since the beginningContinue reading “To really support dads, Washington needs family-wage jobs and modern workplace standards”

Why unpaid maternity leave isn’t enough

From the Washington Post: When it comes to paid maternity leave, the United States is in the postpartum dark ages. One hundred and seventy-seven nations — including Djibouti, Haiti and Afghanistan — have laws on the books requiring that all women, and in some cases men, receive both income and job-protected time off after theContinue reading “Why unpaid maternity leave isn’t enough”