Paid Family Leave Movement Gaining Some U.S. Momentum

The United States is the only industrialized nation without a federal paid family leave law, but that might be changing — albeit slowly and only at the state level.

Four states, mostly recently New York, have added laws to make sure private employers allow workers to take time off with at least partial pay so they may care for a new child in the family or for a sick loved one. Washington state passed a law years ago but never enacted it because of funding issues. Connecticut’s legislature introduced bills in 2017 that only received symbolic debate in the state’s capital, though Democrats vow to bring the issue up again this year.

With some momentum behind the movement, the Modern Dads Podcast welcomes Dina Bakst, co-founder and co-president of A Better Balance, an organization dedicated to promote equality and expand choices for women and men at all income levels so they may care for their families without sacrificing their economic security. Along with the New York’s employee-funded paid family leave law, we also discuss the 25th anniversary of the federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the potential for a nationwide paid family leave program.

We conclude our podcast with City Dads Group columnist Whit Honea and his wife, Tricia, who talk about their challenges with the lack of paid family leave after the birth of their sons.